Demand a federal investigation into YDC abuse allegations
The Issue
For years, the Youth Development Center (YDC) in Manchester, New Hampshire has been plagued by a damning record of abuse allegations. To date, there have been over 2,500 reports of abuse, yet shockingly, only 11 arrests have been made. Countless victims remain without justice, and current and future children at the renamed Sununu Youth Services Center continue to be at risk.
As a resident affected by the horrors emerging from YDC, I am urging a federal investigation into these allegations. The State of New Hampshire is currently embroiled in lawsuits brought against them due to their evident negligence in handling these heinous claims. Unfortunately, the state cannot be expected to conduct an impartial investigation while simultaneously defending itself in civil court.
Justice for the victims, who have endured abuse, betrayal, and neglect, must be our ultimate goal. But this cannot happen unless there is an unbiased and thorough examination of the environment at YDC, looking back at decades of alleged abuse, while also ensuring the future safety of children presently in care.
Reports indicate that incidents of physical and sexual abuse were perpetrated within the facility as part of daily life for vulnerable youths. These alarming claims warrant immediate, decisive action from the federal government, which has the means and the authority to perform an objective investigation free from the conflicts of interest present within state-run inquiries.
We must prioritize the safety and well-being of children and hold accountable those who have failed in their duty of care. By undertaking a federal investigation, we not only aim to deliver justice for past voiced and silent victims but also protect future generations from the dangers hidden within these walls.
Let us stand together in demanding that the federal government step in to investigate the systemic abuse at YDC. Our voices collectively can prompt actions to safeguard our children and restore faith in the systems meant to protect them.
Sign this petition to join the call for an impartial investigation into the Youth Development Center. Together, we can make a change, ensuring that justice is served and that no child suffers again within these facilities.
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The Issue
For years, the Youth Development Center (YDC) in Manchester, New Hampshire has been plagued by a damning record of abuse allegations. To date, there have been over 2,500 reports of abuse, yet shockingly, only 11 arrests have been made. Countless victims remain without justice, and current and future children at the renamed Sununu Youth Services Center continue to be at risk.
As a resident affected by the horrors emerging from YDC, I am urging a federal investigation into these allegations. The State of New Hampshire is currently embroiled in lawsuits brought against them due to their evident negligence in handling these heinous claims. Unfortunately, the state cannot be expected to conduct an impartial investigation while simultaneously defending itself in civil court.
Justice for the victims, who have endured abuse, betrayal, and neglect, must be our ultimate goal. But this cannot happen unless there is an unbiased and thorough examination of the environment at YDC, looking back at decades of alleged abuse, while also ensuring the future safety of children presently in care.
Reports indicate that incidents of physical and sexual abuse were perpetrated within the facility as part of daily life for vulnerable youths. These alarming claims warrant immediate, decisive action from the federal government, which has the means and the authority to perform an objective investigation free from the conflicts of interest present within state-run inquiries.
We must prioritize the safety and well-being of children and hold accountable those who have failed in their duty of care. By undertaking a federal investigation, we not only aim to deliver justice for past voiced and silent victims but also protect future generations from the dangers hidden within these walls.
Let us stand together in demanding that the federal government step in to investigate the systemic abuse at YDC. Our voices collectively can prompt actions to safeguard our children and restore faith in the systems meant to protect them.
Sign this petition to join the call for an impartial investigation into the Youth Development Center. Together, we can make a change, ensuring that justice is served and that no child suffers again within these facilities.
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Petition created on August 16, 2026