CONCORD – Today, Chuck Miles, YDC abuse survivor and board member of Justice for YDC Victims, issued the following statement after the New Hampshire Senate passed a state budget that underfunds and undermines the impartiality of the YDC Settlement Fund:

“The budget passed by the Senate would be devastating for the YDC Settlement Fund and would break the promises made to the victims of horrendous abuse while in the care of the state. Survivors came forward with courage, opting for a settlement process over the courtroom to seek closure, accountability and justice. But by falling woefully short on funding and removing the fund’s independence, the state is essentially telling victims  ‘see you in court.’ YDC victims are watching closely to see if anyone in the State House will step up to fix this mess and save the fund before the budget becomes law.”

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About Justice for YDC Victims

Justice for YDC Victims is a non-profit issue advocacy organization created by survivors and their allies in order to elevate the voices of victims who experienced decades of abuse while in the care of New Hampshire’s state-run Youth Development Center (YDC) system. The organization’s mission is to fight for justice for YDC abuse survivors and to ensure their needs are heard in the State House, including by encouraging New Hampshire lawmakers to uphold the commitments the state has made to the YDC Settlement Fund. For more information visit www.justiceforydcvictims.org.