Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Troubled Teen Industry => Topic started by: Nihilanthic on April 25, 2004, 08:45:00 PM
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I've never been in these places, but that story about tranquility bay caught my eye... I couldn't stop thinking about it, imagining how bad it is, and that I can't stand it happening. I've lost lots of sleep. I want to help.
Then I started thinking about my own past. I'm only 19, so I still remember what happened in the 5th grade. See, I've had (and still do to a much lesser degree) have something called "semantic pragmatic disorder". But in the 5th grade it was so bad I did not understand people, what I said came out really weird, and I would attract abuse from my "peers", if not make people pick fights. I was misdiagnosed as Bipolar and drew attention for verbally lashing out when I became frustrated at how apathetic the teachers were.
So, I was pulled from that normal school and found out I'd be going to a "special place" for half-days. I even had a taxi pick me up! (and 2 other boys, who were either screwed up and needed help for just too violent at their regular school). The work was exceedingly easy, but I noticed how there were 4 levels you could be at. I didn't think much of it. I also noticed there was a 'timeout room' and sometimes I'd see large faculty members pinning people down and dragging them in there. I'm a claustrophobe, and that horrified me.
Then I learned the story of why the lock to that room is springloaded and someone has to stand there and hold it shut - there was fire and apparently a child locked in there died from smoke inhalation.
I didn't stay there long, I didn't realize where I was or why. But after I found out about this crap going on under everyone's noses I realized I dodged a bullet. I was terrifyingly close to ending up in one of these hellholes. I was nonviolent, I was in the AG program (smart kids) so the work was exceedingly easy and I didn't do anything to anyone, so I was pulled out.
I got the help I needed - speech therapy and socialization with other people to learn how to understand people better. Imagine how screwed up I'd be now if I was in one of those 'treatment' camps? I doubt I could speak coherantly and I'd probably be a shell of myself or psychotic.
I dodged a bullet. I'm not going to just forget what I've discovered, or forget the fact that I almost because a survivor, or worse.
My email is oh_taku90@hotmail.com , as is my MSN. AIM is Nihilanthic2. If anyone has any info, or just want someone talk to - I'm usually available.
And no, I'm not just going to give up. I'd like to help organize all of the outcry and all of the victims and advocatsy groups together so there could be a coherant campaign to the media and law enforcement.
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You say you have no experience of these schools, yet you want to help shut them down? Is this Jeff Berryman??
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Did you read my whole post?
Do I have to have been there to care about whats going on? Some people are decent enough to give a shit. And I came close to going to a place like these. I was also a screwed up kid who needed help!
And even if I never had come near it, I still know whats going on, and I'm going to try to help. This is sick and disgusting, its horrific. I actually care about other human beings. I can't do nothing, knowing this is happening every day to thousands of CHILDREN while I live comfortably in my apartment, eat food fit for human consumption and have rights and priviladges.
Who are you anyway? Who is Jeff Berryman?
And no, my name is Chris. If you want to contact me I've given several ways to do so. [ This Message was edited by: Nihilanthic on 2004-04-25 22:27 ]
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You say you have no experience of these schools, yet you want to help shut them down? Is this Jeff Berryman??
Hey WWASPie. Yes, Anon, I'm talking to you. Who else would jump to that conclusion?
So, if I sodomize my ten-year-old daughter that's nobody's business but my own? WRONG!
Child abuse is everybody's business. Its not just a private matter between abuser and victim. A growing number of people are learning the truth about you and your programs.
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Kiwi... any information for me? I've spoken to a survivors on AIM all night... I haven't cried so long in my life.
I just sent emails to a few celebrities and John Kerry about this. I hope I get a reply. I hope they do something.
I can't believe this shit is going on. This is just too bad to be real. :cry:
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On 2004-04-26 04:04:00, Kiwi wrote:
"You say you have no experience of these schools, yet you want to help shut them down? Is this Jeff Berryman??
Hey WWASPie. Yes, Anon, I'm talking to you. Who else would jump to that conclusion?
So, if I sodomize my ten-year-old daughter that's nobody's business but my own? WRONG!
Child abuse is everybody's business. Its not just a private matter between abuser and victim. A growing number of people are learning the truth about you and your programs."
:nworthy: :nworthy: :nworthy:
THANK YOU Kiwi! Although he doesn't have to be a WWASPie, just a Republican.
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I'm a Republican and I support ending the abuse at RTC's by passing laws requiring an end to the isolation of the children, requiring licensing of RTC's, outlawing certain common escort practices and treating violations as kidnapping under federal law, and giving juveniles enforceable legal rights not to be involuntarily committed to an RTC for trivial reasons.
I also support giving all juvenile American citizens the legal right to refuse to leave the country, although I'm still thinking about enforcement mechanisms/consequences.
Please don't make this issue a partisan thing, because it's not.
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On 2004-04-25 21:49:00, Anonymous wrote:
"You say you have no experience of these schools, yet you want to help shut them down? Is this Jeff Berryman??"
Actually, a good many of the people who post here and ask questions are either journalists, friends or family to kids placed in these types of programs or just people interested in youth rights. Never mind all the lurkers!
If you think that all the criticizm of this industry is coming from one little woman in Ft. Lauderdale, you're kidding yourself.
Psychedelics often produce psychotic and even violent behavior in those who have never used them.
--Timothy Leary
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If you think that all the criticizm of this industry is coming from one little woman in Ft. Lauderdale, you're kidding yourself.
The "little woman in Ft. Lauderdale" does not critisize the "industry" she makes money off of it. She critisizes the competition.
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Okay you troglodite. I've had it.
You fucking miscreant. FUCK YOU.
If you want to troll a board, you could pick a little better than a fucking survivors forum for abused, raped, and tortured teenagers. THESE ARE CHILDREN! The adults were abused as children.
This isn't about money or an industry. Its about ending the suffering and justice. I doubt any of them WANT money, and all I've talked to do not. Any winnings would probably go into a foundation for REAL help, and therapy for these abused people.
And quit posting anonymously you coward. Its not like they can't just trace your IP anyway :grin:
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Hey Niles -
Your going to need a thicker skin; that is, assuming the program person really did get under it.
These poor program people think anyone an everyone who is critical of The Program is one of two people, or somehow controlled and influenced by them.
This is not so; but they Will Not face the fact.
You have been asked if you are one of the two - Jeff B.
If you do indeed stick with the fight, you'll eventually learn whoz who - but it is much harder nowadayz - as so many of us feel it best to post anon.
Besides growing a thicker skin, it would be wise not to get caught up in the 'politics' of the business.
However, getting involved in politics, as you have done, is important and I wish more would do so.
I myself am a Republican. As much as I'm able, I have made my Representives aware of the issue and my feelings about it. I await action. I am sick and tired of waiting. I have also made it clear that even tho I have voted republican all my voting life; this is the one issue that can and will flip my vote. Which ever party acts on this issue and Does something about it, has got my support.
Also, there is a lot of media following the story. A willingness to read the stories and respond to the editors is helpful. They are often bombarded by Program Parents all saying how great the program is; how it saved their family and all. Their are a lot of them. If you do stick with this, you'll soon enough come to understand why. . .
For this reason, they all sound just the same.
So, even tho their letters may outnumber the program detractors 10 to 1; the detractors all have various perspectives and accounts and experiences; and so are more credible, IMO. Adding you voice to this number will be a definite plus - as long as you can keep your cool.
So good luck Niles
&
God's Peace
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God's Peace how do you get the name Niles out of the name Chris?
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Odd pet name. But Nihi, Nihil, and Nilly are the normal ones.
Well, I'm prepared to deal with some stupid remakers from some brainwashed people. I just felt like lashing out at an idiot. It felt good. I've been trolled by better trolls, though.
It did get to me that someone would troll this kind of forum, however. :flame:
If anyone wants to talk, you know how to contact me.
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Karen & her friends are playing games again.
Funny Niles/Chris you started this thread as though you were new to all of the discussions. It sure sounds like that is not quite the case. You seem just a little to hostile over very small anon comments to be a newbie.
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For weeks I've dug into this 'industry' and found out about the crap in it.
Once I had been filled to the brim with bullshit I figured it was time to contact people and help out.
And yeah... trying to rub it into survivors faces... ticks me off. Troll another forum, sheesh.
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On 2004-04-26 15:55:00, Anonymous wrote:
Please don't make this issue a partisan thing, because it's not."
I'm glad that it's not in your case. But it is in many -- look at the links between the people who run these facilities and the Republican party.
And my point, which was half joking anyway, was that social conservatives (is this a less offensive term?) tend to believe that people get what they deserve -- poor people deserve to be poor because they make bad choices -- and use that belief to defend the status quo and their lack of interest in making things better for people outside their social millieu. Conservatives even have code words for it -- "culture of victimization," "personal responsibility".
But I think YOUR point, which was that it is unnecessarily divisive to claim child welfare as a liberal issue, is a good one. So, no more sniping from me, at least here. Peace.
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wecome to the child abuse haters club, we need all the help we can get!
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To Nihilanthic: More people need to help. It's important to disclose what is going on to the public at large. Many in government know what is happening they just look the other way. There is alot of political corruption in the form of huge political contributions. Once they know that the PEOPLE are outraged - then and only then will something be done. Remember, this is a government by the people and for the people. When the people protest then those who are in leadership start taking notice. For example, once people saw the new photos of the soldiers demeaning the Iraqi prisoners - piling them up naked and taking pictures of them, the president expressed his outrage. The president and all of his men took action. The UN took action. It's the same with this problem teen industry. A letter writing campaign can be effective. Also notify your Congressional representative of your outrage. Express your opinion to all of the newspapers in your area. In your letter urge government to do something about it. Make suggestions. One voice can make a difference. I know how you feel. I also think about all of the children who live in fear in these facilities, who have no way out of their situation. What is happening is illegal. The Supreme Courth has ruled that people do not give up their Constitutional rights just because they are in a facility for treatment. Many children are also protected by US Code Title 42 - because they are mentally ill. Most facilities are in violation of State, Federal and International Law. Many have started websites for survivors and informational sites to prevent parents from sending their children to these programs. This industry is again in the news because someone died again. Unfortunately it often takes a tragedy for the media to start exposing what's happening.
You need to become informed and it takes a lot of time. Best Wishes to you. The world needs more people with your sensitivity and compassion. Thank you for your entry. :smile: I swear by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
* - ~ Galt's Creed ~ - *
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"If you lack wisdom ask of God and it shall be given to you."[ This Message was edited by: cherish wisdom on 2004-04-30 19:55 ]
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Thanks for the reply.
The issue is people don't WANT to care about domestic issues, I've found. We'd rather be angry at "the government" and look overseas so we can safely raise our voice either way, then go home and watch TV. People are so pissed about something a world away, but nobody gets up on arms over our own children being abused.
Its going to take the lid being blown off this in a massive way for people to start getting angry about it.
Its sad. Most powerful nation to ever exist can't even protect its own children.
And yes, I am going to keep raising hell. People say to me all the time "What the FUCK?" Or, "god... this can't be real!" It is, and it sucks. One poor person threw up upon hearing about it... but was repressing her own abusive history.
People who know will act, its too sick and disgusting to just forget. It stuck in my mind and it sticks in theirs. I'm never forgetting.
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This is truly something worthy of your time, outrage and work. Look at how many people have spoken up for animal rights, equal rights, abortion rights, etc etc. It just takes enough people who are willing and able to take a stand and say something. In politics it is well known that if one letter comes in there are probably at least 1000 other people who feel the same. This is why letter writing is so important. Get it out into the arena of public debate. This is where all worthy causes get their start. Sure there are going to be those who really have been brainwashed into thinking this is right - but they are in the minority. EVERYONE I've discussed this with is outraged and surprised. This is a new industry that pretty much sprang up overnight after the Columbine massacre. Sure there have been programs since the 70's - but most have evolved since 1990.
Keep up the good work. Join others. Write, protest!!!!!Our country right or wrong. When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right.
--Carl Schurz, German-born U.S. general and U.S. senator
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Cherish are you Paula Reeves?
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Expose the ed consultants and independent referral services for what they really are, not just the programs. After all, where DO you think these programs are getting their clients (sic)?
:eek:
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On 2004-05-01 07:52:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Cherish are you Paula Reeves?"
Anon, what makes you think these 2 people are 1 in the same?
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Cherish/Paula was your child at Tranquility Bay?
After your child was pulled from Tranquility Bay was he then sent to Sorenson Ranch,referred there by PURE? Were you happy with your childs stay at Sorenson Ranch?
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On 2004-04-30 21:01:00, cherish wisdom wrote:
This is a new industry that pretty much sprang up overnight after the Columbine massacre. Sure there have been programs since the 70's - but most have evolved since 1990.
Maybe Columbine and the other school shootings gave the market a boost. But this really has been an entrenched part of our culture for a long time. Early on when we all ("we" being folks I know) started putting these sites out there, we were hearing from old men who'd been sent to religious homes for the wayward or orphanages where similar tactics were used. If you look into the history of just exactly how Europeans went about persuing their Manifest Destiny, they also did essentially the same thing to native youths. The pretense was that they were helping these poor savage bastards who were not capable of properly raising their kids to become civilized adults.
Things are changing for us, slowly but surely. Up until just a few years ago, most of us had just quit talking about our experience because the people we tried to tell either didn't believe us or frankly didn't care. Now, when you bring up the issue of trouble in the troubled teen industry or boot camps or behavior modification, most people have some kind of point of reference; a little scrap of context to which to attach what we have to tell them.
These days, journalists are more inclined to cover these stories. People read them and talk about them and have a chance to form an opinion. Courts are more willing to hear evidence such as testimony from fellow clients. It's working, in other words. Rampant talking out in group! If you have a shred of faith left in your fellow human being, you don't have to try and control that dialog. All we have to do is keep the dialog going and involve as many people from as many and varied perspectives as we can.
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
--Albert Einstein
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Cherish/Paula, where did you go?
Cherish/Paula was your child at Tranquility Bay?
After your child was pulled from Tranquility Bay was he then sent to Sorenson Ranch,referred there by PURE? Were you happy with your childs stay at Sorenson Ranch?
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To the anonymous person who has been trying to guess who I am: You are nuts! I am not someone named Paula and I do not have any ties to PURE. I looked at the website that was provided by another anon - and I don't approve of PURE either. They are just another company trying to cash in on desparate parents. They purport to refer children to kinder and gentler programs. I don't honestly know if there are any so I would never support or trust a referal like PURE. In addition they also refer escort services - perhaps a gentler and kinder escort service. So that is another red-flag for me. Please don't accuse me of association with PURE EVIL. At this point I don't support any of them and believe that serious reform and regulation must be established in this industry. This industry must not be allowed to exhist at all until children are given more rights and allowed to have enough contact with the outside world to be able to notify authorities or a lawyer if their human, civil and Constitutional rights are being violated. Until this is done I feel they should all be closed down. Children should not be assaulted in their own homes and hauled off to these programs by escort services. I also believe that the industry attracks sadists, perverts and pedeophiles since these children are sitting ducks for every type of abuse immaginable. I will no longer reply to any anonymous post on this board.
We have made dozens of reports to authorities after rescuing our child from an abusive program in Utah. Since then we have investigated this abhorent industry. So I'm not Paula, not Angela, not associated with PURE - and not comfortable enough to use my own name on a site where the majority of entries are from unregisterd users. This is a great web-site - and I've learned a lot from some of the posts here. ...it is worth discussing radical changes, not in the expectation that they will be adopted promptly but for two other reasons. One is to construct an ideal goal, so that incremental changes can be judged by whether they move the institutional structure toward or away from that ideal. The other reason is very different. It is so that if a crisis requiring or facilitating radical change does arise, alternatives will be available that have been carefully developed and fully explored."
Milton Friedman
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FYI Cherish, PURE, as I am sure you have discovered, is the favorite diversion of an Anon who prefers not to deal with reality and instead bounces off the wall with absurdities. It appears this person may be a cultist from a support group, one of the most adamant and strident in the US. Just as with trollers who spam any old Internet website, the most positive method of dealing with it is *not dealing with it*. IOW, just ignore her.
Oh, about Paula? This Anon person also seems to believe she has "inside" information. In point of actual fact, that information appears to have been gathered from some pretty old posts, heresay, just plain guessing. Paula is a professional all right, but definitely not a medical professional as you are. She also has a child severely abused by a behavior modification facility. She also is a champion of activists trying to change things. And, most importantly, the Anon seems to infer that knowing of PURE or being Paula is a bad thing. She is wrong. Don't let anyone from the Dark Side (anonymous) dissuade you or divert you. You're doin' great.
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, the Anon seems to infer that knowing of PURE or being Paula is a bad thing
How do you see that the Anon is trying to say that "being Paula is bad is a bad thing?" Sounds to me like the Anon is trying to clarify some information. Spots, do you see that as a "bad thing."
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:nworthy: Go Cherish Wisdom!!! :nworthy:
On 2004-05-01 15:05:00, cherish wisdom wrote:
So I'm not Paula, not Angela, not associated with PURE - and not comfortable enough to use my own name on a site where the majority of entries are from unregisterd users. This is a great web-site - and I've learned a lot from some of the posts here.
You can learn a lot from the anons too. You just have to take what they have to say in the context given. Sometimes, that means disregard what they say. Other times, what they say is self evident regardless of who said it.
But if you're going to post anon, then understand that. Some statements are just non-compelling outside of at least the context of what else you've had to say under the same username.
Hey, I didn't make it so, it just is so. And, call me a fool (you wouldn't be the first nor likely the last) but I think there's some value in it.
May your days be joyfully challenging and your words artfully true
-- Ginger Warbis SMA, `00
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On 2004-05-01 17:39:00, Anonymous wrote:
", the Anon seems to infer that knowing of PURE or being Paula is a bad thing
How do you see that the Anon is trying to say that "being Paula is bad is a bad thing?" Sounds to me like the Anon is trying to clarify some information. Spots, do you see that as a "bad thing.""
I'm tempted, yet again, to eliminate anon posting altogether. But I'm afraid it would run off all of the pro Program posters, and then we'd just be preaching to the choir. What fun would that be?
I believe that human beings arrive on this Earth wanting to know absolutely everything, and the best thing we can do as parents is to get out of the way -- just be there to let them know what opportunities are there
-- Dorothy Werner, media liaison for the National Homeschool Association
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I too was suspect of being a PUREist. Not by an anon, but a regular here. I suggested that she sit and watch. There was no way to convince her otherwise. Time will tell who's who.
You said, "I also believe that the industry attracks sadists, perverts and pedeophiles since these children are sitting ducks for every type of abuse immaginable."
I believe this is too often the case.
My ex boarded both our sons when they turned 14. Four years difference in their ages.
The younger son was first boarded at a Baptist military facility then at a high-dollar TBS on the east coast. While at the military facility, he and another midtermer were befriended by an old timer who divulged that he and others had been sexually molested by the dorm director. My son and the other newbie reported this to the administration. The man was working there under an alias, had abused before, and ultimately was sentenced to 95 years. http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/0106 ... ther.shtml (http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/010602/tex_studentmother.shtml)
http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke ... y&pid=1377 (http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=1377)
http://www.tjpc.state.tx.us/publication ... 2-4-10.htm (http://www.tjpc.state.tx.us/publications/reviews/02/02-4-10.htm)
http://www.metropulse.com/dir_zine/dir_ ... _notw.html (http://www.metropulse.com/dir_zine/dir_2001/1103/t_notw.html)
And in a double-suicide pact in October at the jail in San Marcos, Texas, accused murderer Kenny Wayne Lockwood (who made News of the Weird in July 2000) was successful, but accused child molester Bradley Wayne Dixon survived.
Damn, I just googled this and discovered that there was another incident at this facility this year. So much for 'background checks' !!
http://www.abpnews.com/abpnews/story.cfm?newsId=4099 (http://www.abpnews.com/abpnews/story.cfm?newsId=4099)
Ironically, I had had a 'premonition?' about this. A couple of weeks before he was sent I had a half-sleep image of him being sodomized. This prompted the 'how to be safe' talk. The very day that my son exposed the guy I had an impulse to turn the TV on, something I rarely did. Two minutes later I heard the report and discovered the next day that it was his dorm officer.
I could rationalize the 'premonition'. Knowing what I know it would have been easy for my mind to conjure up that image, it was one of my greatest fears. But I could never explain the impulse to turn the TV on. Bottom line, I'm glad I had the talk with him, which may have kept him safe and motivated him to report what he'd been told.
Conditions weren?t much better at the other facility, despite the hefty price tag that accompanied the deceptive ?therapeutic? title. Their abuse was just more covert. He was not allowed access to a phone, all calls and mail were monitored,limited calories and work details were assigned as punishment, and he was subjected to some of the worst ?counseling? you can imagine. Two years later, he's doing well but still has less spunk and enthusiasm than he did before the experience. He hangs on the edges, doesn?t risk anything for fear of making a mistake, doing it ?wrong?. This a young man who was an A/B student, well like by peers and
teachers, a competitive athlete (doesn?t play sports now), and very confident. When you 'condition' a person, they eventually treat themselves as they have been conditioned= requiring little external stimus. I do believe it eventually wears away if it isn't reinforced.
He would put his hand out to a stranger and introduce himself with no thought that they might judge him. No more. He doesn?t speak unless spoken to and then very little. They succeeded in damaging his self esteem and confidence, which
was his only 'crime'- his step mother considered him arrogant and defiant.
One would think his dad would learn from his mistakes. He had boarded our older son at a different military facility where hazing was the order of the day. The abuse finally came into the light when a young cadet's throat was slit in the night by two older cadets. They used the same line there, "They're manipulators and will say anything to get out of here. Let us know and we'll handle it. You should not have to worry." My son was diagnosed with PTSD and had a very hard time for five years. He's doing well today, but still has a short fuse.
http://www.lmtonline.com/news/archive/021598/pagea5.pdf (http://www.lmtonline.com/news/archive/021598/pagea5.pdf) (cont?d at)
http://www.lmtonline.com/news/archive/0 ... agea16.pdf (http://www.lmtonline.com/news/archive/021998/pagea16.pdf)
http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/0215 ... .001.shtml (http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/021598/LD0811.001.shtml)
http://lubbockonline.com/news/112597/LD0681.html (http://lubbockonline.com/news/112597/LD0681.html)
http://www.krgv.net/news/arc-20001019.html (http://www.krgv.net/news/arc-20001019.html)
http://www.lmtonline.com/news/archive/060300/pagea7.pdf (http://www.lmtonline.com/news/archive/060300/pagea7.pdf)
http://texnews.com/texas97/cadets101797.html (http://texnews.com/texas97/cadets101797.html)
http://www.caller2.com/texas/tex2052.html (http://www.caller2.com/texas/tex2052.html)
http://madmax.lmtonline.com/mainnewsarc ... 598/s2.htm (http://madmax.lmtonline.com/mainnewsarchives/021598/s2.htm)
http://madmax.lmtonline.com/mainnewsarc ... 98/s14.htm (http://madmax.lmtonline.com/mainnewsarchives/021198/s14.htm)
My neighbor's son was killed at Skyline Journey. You can read more about that by searching 'skyline' here at Fornits. This is one of the most revealing articles.
http://www.sltrib.com/2003/jul/07132003/utah/utah.asp (http://www.sltrib.com/2003/jul/07132003/utah/utah.asp)
As Ginger says, this has been going on a long time. My mom and her sister were sent to one of Roloff's rabid facilities in the 40s by their fundamentalist father. My aunt was the 'out of control' one, but it was recommended that both be boarded because they were twins. My aunt remained a 'wild child'. My mom got religion. She recalls the strict, unreasonable policies and filth. One of the girls pass-times was combing lice nits out of each others hair.
My dear friend was shipped to a similar religious facility in the 70s. She ran to Ca and was raped by a trucker along the way. She says the rape was less traumatic than her experience at the facility.
The grandson of an acquaintance of mine was molested at a religious facility in central Texas recently. A lawsuit is pending.
I have nothing positive to say about the industry. I am still waiting to see a 'good' program. It's just damned hard to imagine that such a thing exists.
Rampant talking. When enough cases are brought to the publics attention I do believe most parents will choose against this option.
[ This Message was edited by: Deborah on 2005-11-09 20:06 ]
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Thank you for all of the information. I'm starting to feel like a walking textbook of information on this industry. I completely agree that there are few if any good facilities. If the consumers insisted on changes and refused to enroll their children then changes would be made. The government is also responsible for this abuse because regulations are minimal and enforcement rare. It seems the only time facilities are completely checked is when a child or staff member dies. It also seems, especially in Utah, that the authorities are in cahoots with the facilities. When I reported all of the abuse experienced and witnessed by my child (in writing) to the police they were sarcastic and closed the case within a week without examining or interviewing the dozen children who were reportedly abused. Their parents were not notified. Many are still their. The supervisor of Child Protective Services still is no sure if they are going to investigate. It is truly abhorent. These children should also sue the STATES and each entity for refusing to investigate their abuse. More must be done to protect these children. Letters need to be written to the editors of news papers exposing these things to the public.
These facilities do no abide by any laws or regulations. My child was put into isolation and seclusion for a week. Others have reported being in isolation and seclusion for six months. This is against the law - Federal, State, International. It is considered torture. Yet if these children who have experienced this have no advocate to encourage them to report these things to the authorities and the media if the authorities do nothing - then nothing is going to be done to improve this evil industry.
The last struggles of a great superstition are very frequently the worst.
--Andrew Dickson
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One way to help is send TAUSA links of abusive incidents in your (or any) homestate.
http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.c ... Ahome.html (http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.com/TAUSAhome.html)
:smile:
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Cherish - I agree the lack of action to your report is appalling; and suggest you now follow up with the Attorney General's Office and any and all other child welfare/education office in the state; as well as any Federal office that might have an interest.
For instance, if they have any special education students and so receive any fed funding, the Department of Education should have an interest.
http://www.attygen.state.ut.us/ (http://www.attygen.state.ut.us/)
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Q: Whose duty and obligation is it to protect children who participate in outdoor behavioral healthcare programs from abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation?
A: Federal agencies have no authority to intervene in individual child abuse and neglect cases. Each STATE has jurisdiction over these matters, and has specific laws and procedures for reporting and investigating.
Source:
TAUSA
http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.c ... erapy.html (http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.com/wildernesstherapy.html)
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT?
Federal legislation provides a foundation for States by identifying a minimum set of acts or behaviors that define child abuse and neglect.
The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A.), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:
* Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death,
serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or
* An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm
Source:
TAUSA
http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.c ... Ahome.html (http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.com/TAUSAhome.html)
Parents who commit their children into restrictive, custodial facilities where the potential for abusive practices is HIGH should be especially vigilant. Ultimately, it is the PARENT'S responsibility to MONITOR the care and treatment of their OWN CHILD.
:idea:
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I'm tempted, yet again, to eliminate anon posting altogether. But I'm afraid it would run off all of the pro Program posters, and then we'd just be preaching to the choir. What fun would that be?
Antigen, please don't be tempted. I wouln't want
to see those still under the power of programs or
program parents and who fear retaliation or
being sent back run off either.
peace
TommyDon't let your dogma run out in front of your karma.
--Anonymous
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I know, Tommy. I'm not going to. It's frustrating, though. Registering and posting w/ an alias really doesn't add a lot of risk of discovery. But I have no way of communicating that to ppl who I don't even know exist cause they got spooked and never posted.
The Constitution of the United States is a law for rulers and people equally in war and peace. And covers with the shield of it's protection all classes of men at all times and under all circumstances.
--US Supreme Court, Ex Parte Milligan
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On 2004-05-02 10:04:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Q: Whose duty and obligation is it to protect children who participate in outdoor behavioral healthcare programs from abuse, neglect, maltreatment and exploitation?
A: Federal agencies have no authority to intervene in individual child abuse and neglect cases. Each STATE has jurisdiction over these matters, and has specific laws and procedures for reporting and investigating.
Source:
TAUSA
http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.c ... erapy.html (http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.com/wildernesstherapy.html)
WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT?
Federal legislation provides a foundation for States by identifying a minimum set of acts or behaviors that define child abuse and neglect.
The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A.), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:
* Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death,
serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or
* An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm
Source:
TAUSA
http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.c ... Ahome.html (http://www.teenadvocatesusa.homestead.com/TAUSAhome.html)
Parents who commit their children into restrictive, custodial facilities where the potential for abusive practices is HIGH should be especially vigilant. Ultimately, it is the PARENT'S responsibility to MONITOR the care and treatment of their OWN CHILD.
:idea:
"
Sorry, but your understanding of the nature of federalism as practiced in the USA is deficient.
While there are few federal laws governing placement of out-of-state children in boarding schools, the industry *clearly* involves interstate commerce and thus the Federal Government has the power to regulate it.
Just because the Federal government has traditionally not intervened in garden variety child abuse and neglect cases and has traditionally limited its involvement in education and management of juvenile delinquency, doesn't mean it doesn't have the *power* to intervene.
Under the interstate commerce clause, it *clearly* has that power. It's not even a stretch.
And ultimately, the federal government is going to have to intervene, because as long as one state had bad laws, all the children in the US are at risk.
So the feds *can* regulate this, they just *haven't*.....Yet.
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Parents should not have to bring a civil lawsuit to settle the question as to whether a program practiced abuse on their child. Far too many kids who have been injured, even killed, have been held accountable for their own PREVENTABLE deaths. States need to be proactive, not reactive.
Second, there seems to be a general consensus in America that more not less compulsory behavior modification is needed in order to raise a generation of obedient, law abiding citizens. Since the government's schools have virtually turned into federally-funded prisons, why would anyone be concerned about what's going on in private programs?
Scary, isn't it?
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I've told a ton of people about this lately - almost everyone I know. I plan on going to my school system and local politcians when I can.
They either say I should tell congressmen (my poor mom still thinks George W would give a damn if I sent him a letter or e-mail :roll:), or that its not real - or that I should stop talking because they are tempted to get a gun and a plane ticket. One poor woman threw up, because of her own abuse she suffered. Others cried. I was one of them.
When people KNOW whats really going on they get as worked up as I did. When the lid is blown off of this their days will be numbered. And its WHEN, not IF. There just has to be some way to get this on the mass media as a big cover story, not just overshadowed by Iraq/middle east crap as the norm seems to be these days.
*Sigh* I need to start sleeping normally again... oh well. Any little thing I could do, any parent I might warn and save just one person... it would be worth it.
Anyone considered making a movie about this? Getting a performer to make a song about this? Does anyone know how to contact MTV? They'd go apeshit over this!
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MTV knows about it. I know they know, b/c I did a long interview with one of their producers last May or June.
Rumors persist that they are going to do a story but so far NaDa.
I actually agree with your mom that you should contact the white house. They may not actually give a hoot - but they need to knows lots of others do.
The White House prefers written communication; so I'd suggest calling and getting the mailing address; as well as Fax numbers.
You might want to consider the First Lady's office. I happen to know her office is looking at this issue; not that I have any idea what if anything will be said or done; but they are looking at the issue.
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Write letters to the editor, email your Congressional Rep, the president, the governor of the States where most of this abuse is occuring (Utah, Montana, Idaho, Arizona)
We've just sent letters to all of the editors of the newpapers in Utah. I've also been contacted by someone who's doing a story there. This is also a political issue since many of these ownere donate heavily to political campaigns (GOP normally). To Find out if owners and administrators are given political bribes in the form of donations look at opensecrets.org.