Man claims he was abused in DCYF care
A man claims he was the victim of abuse while in the care of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, and said it continues today.
Nicholas Alahverdian, 23, is the founder of Nexus Government, a social justice advocacy group. He spoke Tuesday against the DCYF during a news conference he held at the State House.
"I was subjected to torture, beatings, assault in various forms. I was refused to contact anybody, anybody at all," he said."These facilities are dangerous. My question to Rhode Island, 'Why are we paying for them?" Alahverdian said.Alahverdian claims he was abused and neglected up until his release in 2005. He claims he was sent to a facility in Florida where some of it occurred.
The state, however, denies any report of abuse were found in his file.
"They cut staff, they fill the beds to population and then some, they cut services and then they reaped in the profits," Alahverdian said.
Alahverdian claims the abuse continues at facilities in Rhode Island and out-of-state facilities where the state has no legal jurisdiction.
According to DCYF, it found no substantiated findings of abuse in Alahverdian's case.
In 2010, there were 122 investigations in and out of state and only 16 findings of abuse or neglect. According to DCYF, many findings were in day care and most resulted in staff firings.
Currently, 44 clients are placed out of state, 27 in nearby towns and only because in-state providers can't provide the services the kids need.
DCYF said if Alahverdian has evidence of wide scale of abuse, he should step forward and it will investigate.
"This isn't AIG. This isn't Goldman Sachs. It's kids and you know what, kids are important," Alahverdian said.
Alahverdian is working with Rep. Roberto DaSilva, who represents East Providence and Pawtucket, and said that he's considering introducing legislation that keeps children in state treatment houses and oversees the whole facility to make sure there's more accountability.
Man claims he was abused in DCYF care Blurb -- Nicholas Alahverdian says he was subjected to torture and beatings, but DCYF denies any reports of abuse. A man claims he was the victim of abuse while in the care of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, and said it continues today. Nicholas Alahverdian, 23, is the founder of Nexus Government, a social justice advocacy group. He spoke Tuesday against the DCYF during a news conference he held at the State House. "I was subjected to torture, beatings, assault in various forms. I was refused to contact anybody, anybody at all," he said. "These facilities are dangerous. My question to Rhode Island, 'Why are we paying for them?" Alahverdian said. Alahverdian claims he was abused and neglected up until his release in 2005. He claims he was sent to a facility in Florida where some of it occurred. DCYF denies any reports of abuse were found in his file. "They cut staff, they fill the beds to population and then some, they cut services and then they reaped in the profits," Alahverdian said. Alahverdian claims the abuse continues at facilities in Rhode Island and out-of-state facilities where the state has no legal jurisdiction. According to DCYF, it found no substantiated findings of abuse in Alahverdian's case. In 2010, there were 122 investigations in and out of state and only 16 findings of abuse or neglect. According to DCYF, many findings were in day care and most resulted in staff firings. Currently, 44 clients are placed out of state, 27 in nearby towns and only because in-state providers can't provide the services the kids need. DCYF said if Alahverdian has evidence of wide scale of abuse, he should step forward and it will investigate. "This isn't AIG. This isn't Goldman Sachs. It's kids and you know what, kids are important," Alahverdian said. Alahverdian is working with Rep. Roberto DaSilva, who represents East Providence and Pawtucket, and said that he's considering introducing legislation that keeps children in state treatment houses and oversees the whole facility to make sure there's more accountability.