The civil trial of a man who exposed years of abuse at a New Hampshire youth detention center continued with emotional testimony on Thursday. The man, David Meehan, spoke about being raped at age 15 and being treated for gonorrhea as a result. He described the abuse he suffered at the hands of former staff members at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester. The state has set up a $100 million fund for former residents of the center and has brought criminal charges against 11 former state workers, including those accused of abusing Meehan. Despite the efforts to hold individuals accountable, the state argues that it should not be held liable for the actions of “rogue” employees.
Meehan testified that he had lied on intake paperwork about his sexual experience before arriving at the facility at age 14. He recounted his first sexual experience, which occurred when a youth center staffer violently raped him under the guise of a strip search. Meehan was then quarantined in the infirmary for gonorrhea. He also described how his assigned youth counselor began grooming him, initially providing him with snacks and treats before escalating the abuse. Meehan tearfully shared that he felt a fatherly relationship with the counselor, but that changed when he was forced into performing sexual acts.
The abuse escalated as other staff members also began to abuse Meehan, who alleges that he was raped hundreds of times over three years. He recounted how his once trusted counselor told him that he belonged to him, and that he should go along with whatever others wanted from him. Meehan expressed his anger and frustration at the betrayal he felt from those who were supposed to care for him. The testimony shed light on the horrors that occurred at the youth center, where Meehan and other residents endured unimaginable abuse.
The Sununu Youth Services Center, named after former Gov. John H. Sununu, father of current Gov. Chris Sununu, has faced scrutiny in recent years. Lawmakers have approved plans to close the facility and build a smaller one in a new location. The trial of Meehan’s lawsuit against the state and former staff members is shedding light on the systemic issues that allowed such abuse to occur. Meehan’s emotional testimony highlights the long-lasting impact of the trauma he experienced and his ongoing struggles to feel safe and secure. The trial provides a platform for survivors to seek justice and accountability for the abuse they endured at the hands of those entrusted with their care.
