Can someone please call the FBI, CPS, whomever?

[FemanonFatal2.0]

So, CAFETY, or whomever has the contacts to do something, please do so

LOL...  You haven't been around long, have you?

Yea seriously, just to give you an idea I'm going to quote CAFETY's section in their brochure about reporting abuse

"Unfortunately there are significant obstacles to effectively
report abuse in a residential treatment center. These may
include but are not limited to, censored contact with anyone
who is not a current staff or employee of the facility, limits
in state policy within Child Protective Services - particularly
within facilities which are privately funded, the stipulation
that the reporter must be an adult, and often times the
report will be ineffective unless the reporter can show
evidence that the abuse is occurring at the present time.
There are also significant gap from the time the abuse is
reported and the actual execution of an appropriate
investigation."

Currently we are working on creating a system to handle reports of abuse and putting together some material to grant advice to people who are trying to file complaints against an RTC... but clearly, CAFETY has no more "contacts" then you do.

If this is something you are serious about your gonna have to put in the work to gather indisputable evidence, you might need to wait until the child is out of the school and encourage HIM to file a report alleging abuse. I know its surprising that abuse in RTC's is so wide spread and the authorities aren't doing anything about it but unfortunately there are just many different factors that make it a significant challenge. There are thousands of kids in programs as we speak, we cant file reports on behalf of each individual kid based on every rumor that flies across Fornits, I'd like to think our efforts are a bit more streamlined, were attempting to cut the snake at the head so to speak. I cant speak for everyone here because we are all kinda doing our own thing based on our own beliefs about this issue, but I think we are doing what we can to address the big picture, the root of the problem. and until we are completely successful stuff like this boy and the 10 lb box is just outside the scope of our control.

As Psy said, if we ran to the authorities everytime we here about something like this we would quickly create a distrust of our cause. We already have to fight the stigma of being activists and unfortunately even human rights activists get a stigma... this kind of thing is just not something we can place our reputation on alone, these kinds of issues we can only compile and report.

I'm sorry.

[blombrowski]

My first reaction when I read this was "hmm, calling CPS might be a good idea", then I looked for the parent's name and the youth's name.  No info.  

CAFETY has no special powers.  Mostly anything we can do, you as a concerned citizen can do yourself, though it helps with complex cases to coordinate efforts and have relationships with professionals with certain skill sets.  If we had the parents name, and her name was attached to the posting. a call into CPS could be reported against the parent.  Given the situation, you might consider putting a call into Disability Rights California who has the legal authority to inspect abuse at all facilities in California where any disabled individual is treated.  This kind of treatment could be perfectly legal in California, I know that in some states this would be considered corporal punishment and would be banned.  A call from a concerned individual who saw the post and just wanted to make sure that such practices were legal would be perfectly legitimate.  Chances are neither CPS or DRC would take any action, but at least you can put this on their radar.

[Anonymous]

Please, theres no reason to argue against TRYING to do something about this situation.

Yes there is.  If you come off as an extremist, you damage the entire cause as it reflects on all of "us".  If and when there is actually something of import to bring to the feds, the'll just ignore it as "another one of those loons".  Either you are incredibly naive, or you're doing this on purpose (troll of type agent provocateur).  Frankly, on matters like this, I trust my instincts  When something seems fishy, it usually is.  If in the rare possibility that I am wrong and you are just naive.  Please, for the sake of us all, don't go encouraging others to call the feds up with things like 10 pound bags.  Get something solid.

So, CAFETY, or whomever has the contacts to do something, please do so

LOL...  You haven't been around long, have you?

If you think  being forced to carry 10 pound bags ALL the time because of some vague charge upon your character does not qualify as abuse than you are an obtuse moron, and should not be administrating a forum that is dedicated to calling attention to human and civil rights abuses.  If something smells fishy it might be your lower lip.

[Anonymous]

My first reaction when I read this was "hmm, calling CPS might be a good idea", then I looked for the parent's name and the youth's name.  No info.  

CAFETY has no special powers.  Mostly anything we can do, you as a concerned citizen can do yourself, though it helps with complex cases to coordinate efforts and have relationships with professionals with certain skill sets.  If we had the parents name, and her name was attached to the posting. a call into CPS could be reported against the parent.  Given the situation, you might consider putting a call into Disability Rights California who has the legal authority to inspect abuse at all facilities in California where any disabled individual is treated.  This kind of treatment could be perfectly legal in California, I know that in some states this would be considered corporal punishment and would be banned.  A call from a concerned individual who saw the post and just wanted to make sure that such practices were legal would be perfectly legitimate.  Chances are neither CPS or DRC would take any action, but at least you can put this on their radar.

CPS seems to be very inconstant with investigating these issues. I know people who have been investigated for "seeming angry" while applying for disability...but something as cruel as "parent" ordering their kid they had locked up carry weight around all the time "too make him less comfortable" and refusing to even visit him because he is not good enough there is nothing that will be done? Please, bloom, or cafety, at least try with this and call the relevant authorities.

[BuzzKill]

I've not read every post here - but I did read the apparent post from an apparent WWASP parent saying their son was being made to pack around 10 pounds of books until he "gets real".  I read were FemanonFatal said she was glad to read WWASP had modified their behavior, even if only a little bit. (I paraphrase) But I would like to point out - if the boys folks are told he is packing 10 pounds of books, reality might be a 50 pound rock.  This parent post confirms for me the sad fact nothing has changed.

[Anonymous]

My son seems to be so unbelievably comfortable down there that I requested to make him more uncomfortable. He is now carrying around a 10 pound box of books which is to symbolize all the crab he is carrying around. But he still doesn't get it. We decided not to go to the Family weekend because we don't see any results. Let's hope that works. But Keith, thanks a million for sharing your frustration. Sometimes I have the feeling we are the only ones being discouraged. It's good to see we are not alone.--


To all the people  implying that the above does not qualify as a description of abuse, please investigate the defintions of physical and emotional abuse, and torment. In every sence of the word, esepcially considering these "parents" paid to have their teen son abducted and imprisoned in an oversight-free for-profit gulag, this is a post describing major psychological and physical abuse and cruelty.

http://www.ridalaskaofchildabuse.org/EmotionalCA.html

http://www.findcounseling.com/journal/c ... abuse.html

http://rakesprogress.wordpress.com/2009 ... ild-abuse/

[blombrowski]

Let's be clear here.  What this parent is describing is abuse.  Let's roleplay calling CPS however.

Reporter: Hi I'd like to report an incident of child abuse
CPS:  Please describe the abuse that you witnessed?
Reporter:  A parent on an internet forum said that Sunrise Academy was making her son carry 10 lbs. of books around as punishment and she supported it
CPS:  Do you know this parent or child
Reporter:  No
CPS:  Do you know the name of this parent or child
Reporter:  No
CPS:  Well sir, without the child's or the parent's name there's nothing we can do about it

Have you ever been on the subway or train and witnessed a child being slapped and wanted to call CPS?  Without being able to identify the perp there's really nothing that can be done or that CPS is willing to do.

Disability Rights California might take an interest in a case like this, but given the P & A's shortage of staffing, they might consider this a wild goose chase that isn't worth their time, still worth a call into them though.  Investigating MBA took one staff member, a supreme court case, and ten current and former students who were willing to come forward, and the school is still open and receiving students.

[FemanonFatal2.0]

To all the people  implying that the above does not qualify as a description of abuse, please investigate the defintions of physical and emotional abuse, and torment.

Listen I never said this didn't constitute abuse, in fact i believe I stated that this is only the tip of the ice burg of what other abuses are undoubtedly happening here. It's not that I don't care about this boy, believe me the only reason I am here on this forum in the first place is because I care about being a part of the solution. What I said was in order to for us to make an effective claim we will need to bring forth more evidence. Believe me I have considered the undercover thing myself, if my name weren't all over the internet opposing problems I would have taken the job they were hiring off craigslist to work at Oceanside.

Your getting all riled up at us because we mention there are significant roadblocks to completing your request, that just isn't helping the situation. You want us to help you will have to devote yourself to bringing us something we can report. OR if you need to see this done YOU have just as much power to call CPS as we do, so why is it all of a sudden we are to blame for inaction when you haven't bothered to make a call yourself.

I'm sure all of us would be happy to assist in an investigation if one is launched on behalf of this child, but beyond that we don't have any more authority to influence state agencies until legislation is passed to make it possible for us to do so. THAT is what CAFETY is doing to help this boy and all the other kids and families effected by the troubled teen industry... so be patient, in time things like this will be easier to report or be done away with all together.

[Anonymous]

To all the people  implying that the above does not qualify as a description of abuse, please investigate the defintions of physical and emotional abuse, and torment.

Listen I never said this didn't constitute abuse, in fact i believe I stated that this is only the tip of the ice burg of what other abuses are undoubtedly happening here. It's not that I don't care about this boy, believe me the only reason I am here on this forum in the first place is because I care about being a part of the solution. What I said was in order to for us to make an effective claim we will need to bring forth more evidence. Believe me I have considered the undercover thing myself, if my name weren't all over the internet opposing problems I would have taken the job they were hiring off craigslist to work at Oceanside.

Your getting all riled up at us because we mention there are significant roadblocks to completing your request, that just isn't helping the situation. You want us to help you will have to devote yourself to bringing us something we can report. OR if you need to see this done YOU have just as much power to call CPS as we do, so why is it all of a sudden we are to blame for inaction when you haven't bothered to make a call yourself.

I'm sure all of us would be happy to assist in an investigation if one is launched on behalf of this child, but beyond that we don't have any more authority to influence state agencies until legislation is passed to make it possible for us to do so. THAT is what CAFETY is doing to help this boy and all the other kids and families effected by the troubled teen industry... so be patient, in time things like this will be easier to report or be done away with all together.

I am not getting "all riled up" about anything. I was called a "troll" several times, and was told, essentially, what is being done to this boy is a-ok. Hence, some of my responses.

In my experience, "arbitrary" person calling these bodies do not get the same response as an agency, for what that’s worth. But I understand you now, no one at any agency is willing to make any call.

[Anonymous]

Also, let me apologize for being somewhat rude, or anything  negative. I really only want this poor kid not to be tormented.
I know that "I" am not the person suited to stopping this madness because of my own PTSD and "fear" problems. I don't even stand up for myself when I get assaulted or abused. I am just not capable of standing up for other people very well, like I assume some of you are. So I ask "cafety" to help, or whomever. Please do not assume that makes me, I don't know, whatever  various things I have been accused of being.

[FemanonFatal2.0]

To all the people  implying that the above does not qualify as a description of abuse, please investigate the defintions of physical and emotional abuse, and torment.

Listen I never said this didn't constitute abuse, in fact i believe I stated that this is only the tip of the ice burg of what other abuses are undoubtedly happening here. It's not that I don't care about this boy, believe me the only reason I am here on this forum in the first place is because I care about being a part of the solution. What I said was in order to for us to make an effective claim we will need to bring forth more evidence. Believe me I have considered the undercover thing myself, if my name weren't all over the internet opposing problems I would have taken the job they were hiring off craigslist to work at Oceanside.

Your getting all riled up at us because we mention there are significant roadblocks to completing your request, that just isn't helping the situation. You want us to help you will have to devote yourself to bringing us something we can report. OR if you need to see this done YOU have just as much power to call CPS as we do, so why is it all of a sudden we are to blame for inaction when you haven't bothered to make a call yourself.

I'm sure all of us would be happy to assist in an investigation if one is launched on behalf of this child, but beyond that we don't have any more authority to influence state agencies until legislation is passed to make it possible for us to do so. THAT is what CAFETY is doing to help this boy and all the other kids and families effected by the troubled teen industry... so be patient, in time things like this will be easier to report or be done away with all together.

I am not getting "all riled up" about anything. I was called a "troll" several times, and was told, essentially, what is being done to this boy is a-ok. Hence, some of my responses.

In my experience, "arbitrary" person calling these bodies do not get the same response as an agency, for what that’s worth. But I understand you now, no one at any agency is willing to make any call.

then maybe you are confused as to what Fornits is, we are not an agency, we are just people like you and everyone else. we have no power over the government or the FBI to make them take our concerns seriously, and that's why we work in specific ways, all we can do is compile evidence, as in testimonies, photos, videos and various resources and bring it to the attention of our law makers, because at this point CPS and the FBI don't take our claims serious, and certainly not the local police. As i mentioned before this would also be a matter or jurisdiction being as the program in question is located in mexico. If you as a concerned citizen would like to make a complaint against the parent who is knowledgeable about their son being mistreated and has no mind to intervene then I can assure you CAFETY would be happy to back you up by coordinating with the investigator to understand that this kind of method represents a widespread problem. As well I would be willing to answer any questions, and can corroborate that these methods were used in a psychologically abusive manner, but I can't put my name on this report as the initial complaint. I hope you understand that my reputation with these agencies has a great deal to do with how seriously I am taken when I report the serious abuses that I have found empirical evidence to support.

I'm sorry if that sounds as if I don't care, that is truly not the case, its simply that I cannot rescue each and every child that is being abused in a residential treatment facility one by one, I cannot make 5 million complaints against parents who have their kids in RTC's and I cannot get riled up about every report that comes my way... I am well aware of the abuse in RTC's and it breaks my heart I can't save them all right now, but I think I am acting on in the most efficient and effective way by helping to address the root of the problem and facilitate change, if not complete abolishment of the Troubled Teen Industry.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you email someone at CAFETY directly instead of speculating here? I'm sure they'd be more than supportive and someone would be willing to make the call if you feel uncomfortable doing so.  Calling on investigators can be intimidating.

Try any of these people who have their emails listed:

http://cafety.org/board-of-advisors
http://cafety.org/board

I'm sure someone will help you.

[psy]

Currently we are working on creating a system to handle reports of abuse and putting together some material to grant advice to people who are trying to file complaints against an RTC...

No.  Cafety is chatting amongst themselves about what to do and politicians will humor them about it.  Anybody can make an organization.  Whether it does anything or not is relatively pointless.  Tell me this:  What has CAFETY actually accomplished?  What of consequence have they actually done?  Have they taken down even a single program?

ISAC (the Earnshaws and volunteers) have done that.  Dedicated individuals at fornits like Deborah have done that merely by digging up information and getting it into the public sphere and into the hands of the right people.  Maia has done a hell of a lot of damage.  What has CAFETY done, other than politick and posture?

The point of what I'm getting at is: don't rely on the government.  Don't rely on organizations or groups.  Be an individual.  Work with others, sure, but don't belong to them and don't expect them to belong to you.  You say you admire anonymous.  Isn't that "standalone complex" phenomenon what you are supposed to stand for?  Teamwork does not always have to be withing a group.  All it takes to kill a program is dedication and hard work.  Expecting the government to step in is the worst kind of self deception based on a lack of faith in your own ability.  Fantasy legislation such as allowing CAFETY members into RTCs to inspect will NEVER come to pass.  Don't get me wrong.  I favor complete abolition of all involutary treatment, humane or otherwise.  I just think you're going about it in a very very naive manner.  Protip: listen to people like Ginger, Shelby, Barbe, and others who have been in this for a long time and learn from them. Otherwise you'll just end up repeating their mistakes.

When I first came to fornits, I thought regulation was the key. Turns out, I was wrong.  I was very, very, wrong.  Mark my words.  Even if you suceed in regulation, it will do more harm than good.  Find another stratefy.  Use the press, become the press, credential and licensing issues...  Use what has worked and don't bother with what has failed.  Look to how US based programs have been shut down in the past for that.

PS: I apologize in advance for being a bitch.  Just in a bad mood is all...  Still.  I mean what I say.

[psy]

My first reaction when I read this was "hmm, calling CPS might be a good idea", then I looked for the parent's name and the youth's name.  No info.  

CAFETY has no special powers.  Mostly anything we can do, you as a concerned citizen can do yourself, though it helps with complex cases to coordinate efforts and have relationships with professionals with certain skill sets.

FUCKING AMEN!

[psy]

Chances are neither CPS or DRC would take any action, but at least you can put this on their radar.

Or they'll flag any critics of the program as complete lunatics for even suggesting a 10 pound bookbag on it's own is abuse.  People are prejudiced and "the boy who cried wolf" gets blamed on the group, sadly.