David Meehan’s revelation to his wife that he was raped at a New Hampshire state-run youth detention center sparked an investigation into the Sununu Youth Services Center, resulting in charges against eleven former workers and almost 1,200 lawsuits filed by former residents. Meehan’s individual lawsuit, set to go to trial this week, is the first in a series of civil cases. He hopes his courage in coming forward will inspire others to share their own experiences of abuse at the facility, despite the emotional toll it takes on him to know that many others suffered similarly.
The trial is expected to last weeks and will be a public display of the state attorney general’s office’s dual role in prosecuting perpetrators of abuse at the center while also defending the state against allegations raised in civil suits. This complex legal situation has Judge Andrew Schulman acknowledging the intertwined nature of the civil and criminal cases. The evidence gathered in Meehan’s case has been crucial in the criminal investigation and prosecution of former workers who are accused of abusing residents at the facility.
Meehan recounts being repeatedly beaten, raped, and isolated during his three years at the facility, where workers gained his trust before subjecting him to unspeakable acts of abuse. His lawsuit seeks substantial compensation for the trauma and suffering he endured and accuses the state of negligence in failing to protect him from harm. The state, on the other hand, denies these claims and argues that Meehan waited too long to come forward, despite the exceptions in the statute of limitations for cases where victims were unaware of the harm done to them.
On the criminal side, charges have been brought against ten men for assaults on teenagers at the detention center, dating back to the mid-1990s. The first criminal trial, originally scheduled to begin this month, has been postponed until August. Judge Schulman has cautioned against emotional appeals during the trial and reminded Meehan’s attorneys to focus on presenting the facts. He stresses that the trial is not a battle of good versus evil but a legal proceeding to determine accountability for the abuse suffered by Meehan and others at the facility.
The trial of David Meehan’s lawsuit against the state for abuse suffered at the Sununu Youth Services Center is a crucial step towards seeking justice for the survivors of the facility’s dark history. As more cases go to trial and further criminal charges are brought, the legal battle over the accountability of the state and its employees in enabling and perpetrating abuse will continue to unfold. Meehan’s courage in speaking out has opened the door for others to seek redress for the injustices they faced, shedding light on a painful chapter in New Hampshire’s history. The outcome of these trials will not only determine compensation for survivors but also shape the future of youth detention in the state.
