RALEIGH – The Governor’s Eugenics Task Force met today, July 13, to review comments submitted by victims of the abolished state sterilization program and members of their families, as well as to revisit past findings.
The task force — which is charged with submitting a preliminary report to Gov. Bev Perdue by Aug. 1 — did not schedule a next meeting. The group anticipates reconvening in September, according to a press release from the Department of Administration.
“I want to be clear that the Task Force has not decided on any particular recommendations in regard to compensation,” stated Dr. Laura Gerald, Task Force Chair, before the meeting adjourned. “We still have a lot of work before us.”
The final report is due to the Governor by Feb. 1, 2012.
Among the topics discussed by Task Force members were whether compensation should be limited to living victims only; the amount of financial compensation; whether additional resources, such as health insurance or mental health counseling, should be provided; and the need to keep open the N.C Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation
Today’s two-and-a-half hour session ended with public comments from several individuals affected by the program and Rep. Larry Womble of Forsyth County, a longtime advocate for their cause.
Members of the audience made impassioned pleas for the board to include in its recommendations the estates and survivors of deceased victims, who they say share the emotional burden of involuntary sterilization, and to increase the payment amount significantly from the $20,000 currently under discussion.
If you believe you are or know someone who may have been affected by the program and would like to verify your status and access your patient files, call the Sterilization Victims Foundation’s toll-free hotline 1-877-550-6013 for information, or visit the Foundation’s website: www.sterilizationvictims.nc.gov to download a verification request form. Foundation staff is available to assist callers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
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The task force — which is charged with submitting a preliminary report to Gov. Bev Perdue by Aug. 1 — did not schedule a next meeting. The group anticipates reconvening in September, according to a press release from the Department of Administration.
“I want to be clear that the Task Force has not decided on any particular recommendations in regard to compensation,” stated Dr. Laura Gerald, Task Force Chair, before the meeting adjourned. “We still have a lot of work before us.”
The final report is due to the Governor by Feb. 1, 2012.
Among the topics discussed by Task Force members were whether compensation should be limited to living victims only; the amount of financial compensation; whether additional resources, such as health insurance or mental health counseling, should be provided; and the need to keep open the N.C Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation
Today’s two-and-a-half hour session ended with public comments from several individuals affected by the program and Rep. Larry Womble of Forsyth County, a longtime advocate for their cause.
Members of the audience made impassioned pleas for the board to include in its recommendations the estates and survivors of deceased victims, who they say share the emotional burden of involuntary sterilization, and to increase the payment amount significantly from the $20,000 currently under discussion.
If you believe you are or know someone who may have been affected by the program and would like to verify your status and access your patient files, call the Sterilization Victims Foundation’s toll-free hotline 1-877-550-6013 for information, or visit the Foundation’s website: www.sterilizationvictims.nc.gov
Read the full article
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News article from the Charlotte Observer about the Task Force meeting:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/07/14/2452327/victims-start-stepping-up-for.html
"Almost 5,400 people, mostly women, were sterilized under the authority of the eugenics board between 1946 and 1968, the most active years (the program was formally abolished in 1974). ...
"All [of the Task Force members] agreed they support monetary compensation, though they didn't settle on a figure. The state estimates that 1,500 to almost 3,000 victims could still be alive. At $20,000 each, the figure that has been suggested, that would come to $30 million to $60 million if all of them come forward. ...
"Most members said Wednesday they think payments should be limited to living victims, rather than including family members of those who have died. ..."
By Jeff Fobes
07/14/2011