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This really happened all the way back in 2005? And the'yre just now suing? This should get tossed out of court rather quick.
"H" is only 15, which is one reason I am so worried about him. That is a long time to be away if they keep him until he is 18. He was sent away for being "withdrawn" and "shy", mainly because his father treats him like shit while he dotes on his brother and sister. Once he got to 2N, they decided he was "Oppositional Defiant, PDD:NOS, and had Anti-Social Personality Disorder". Trust me, he has none of these things. He is a normal 15 year old stuck on the shitty end of his parents divorce.
Thanks for all the links, I will look through them and see if I can find anything to send his mom. She may hate me for it, but I'm willing to lose the friendship of his family in order to save him. I just can't understand why she doesn't see that a place that hasn't even met him that knows he won't be able to leave in 7 months is not a bad place to send him. It makes me sad.
http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/detail/819611
Boulder Creek Academy: Interview with a Survivor, Part 1
Boulder Creek Academy: Interview with a Survivor, Part 1
Jul 19, 2008
Hurrikayne: What is the name of the facility you were in?
Alex: Boulder Creek Academy, in Idaho.
When were you there & how long did you stay?
I was there from June 22, 2007 to June 21, 2008.
Their website states that “Boulder Creek Academy is a safe refuge for at-risk troubled teens.” Do you feel that you were “at-risk” or “troubled”?
I feel that I was troubled, but not ‘at-risk’, whatever that means (assuming you mean cutting, drugs, sex, etc). I was mildly depressed, and had mood swings because of my medication. Basically, my parents didn't want to wait out me being on new medication.
They also describe typical students as, “Capable but discouraged by academic struggle; Isolated, low self-esteem; Unable to see consequences of actions; Experimented with drugs and alcohol.” Do you feel these generalizations accurately describe how you were at the time you entered the program?
I would say about 1/3 of the student body is as they described. Some of the people there are INCREDIBLY intelligent. One kid was doing college calculus from Stanford before he was 18; another is reading books about string theory.
Most kids there, however, are not isolated. I heard so many stories about crazy shit that happened at their homes and whatnot with their friends. From what I saw, some of those kids had pretty good self-esteem. Most of the students there have done drugs, but not all of them.
The rest are idiotic, immature simpletons. They fail classes (which are not hard to pass), can't see that A+B=C, and are total druggies. Most of the kids who saw the website made jokes about how the kids had 'an IQ of over 90', because some of the kids were so stupid. One of the kids said that all the buildings in Tokyo were made of bamboo, and another believed that Japanese tiger eggs existed.
Whose idea was it for you to go to this facility?
It was my parents' idea.
Why did your parents feel that a therapeutic boarding school would be better than a ‘normal’ boarding school?
I honestly don't know why my parents thought it was better, but I'm guessing it had to do with a lot of one-sided misinformation. They learned about this school from an Education Consultant, Molly Baron, and then my therapist at Second Nature, Jay Huffine, and took a tour at BCA with Shaunale Wilson. My mom really is easy to get bought into all of this crap, and I'm honestly surprised that my dad was sucked into it. Apparently, my dad looked at normal ones too, but he said at the time it seemed like the right thing to do, but now he seems to regret his decision.
Were you included in the decision?
No, I was not included whatsoever. I wanted to go to a normal boarding school, but they sent me to a wilderness.
How did you get there?
I was transported to wilderness, and then to the school
What do you mean by 'transported' and what kind of wilderness were you taken to?
I was woken up at 5 AM at home by two men, who talked to me about a program called Second Nature in Bend, Oregon. I was excited, and thought it was a (normal) boarding school. I was allowed to take a shower and grab my Nintendo DS to use on the trip there. Then I was handed off to two people from Second Nature at the Airport in Richmond, OR. They took me to a doctor to get a physical, then to the headquarters of the place where I had to strip naked and show that I didn't have any 'contraband' on me, (luckily no cavity search), and then got shipped off to the middle of nowhere.
http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=23378&p=407501#p407501
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Re: Lexy Spett - Bodin Associates
Postby Aether » 30 Oct 2011, 02:17
There's no coincidence with the turn of events in my life associated with Ms. Spett, whether for better or for worse; I was referred to her last year before I was sent away, and being fragile as I was at the time, she was very confrontational about me being dishonest about my answers on the personality evaluation and the inkblot tests; with the Rorschach tests, in truth I actually wasn't seeing anything, so I just claimed to be seeing positive images because I thought those were the answers I was supposed to give. In all honesty, I don't buy their legitimacy and I consider them subjective pseudoscience. As for the personality questionnaire, I also fully will admit to giving dishonest answers because I thought certain responses would be reflective of having a more optimistic mindset. Regardless, Ms. Spett claimed to have been wary of inconsistencies and straightforwardly told me she was used to seeing kids who were "like sticks in the mud." It's out there that she readily refers children to BCA, so there's not a doubt in my mind that her influence was present in the decisions regarding the programs I was sent to. Why? Because it was happening earlier on, even if I wasn't aware of it. I knew my BCA therapist kept in contact with her for certain records, because her name would come up on the computer screen with contact lists when I was doing phone calls; however, it was only later that I realized that Lexy is friends with my WILDERNESS therapist on Facebook! This is beyond professional connections, the people in the industry obviously make buddies with each other when they see how easily they can exploit sensitive situations. The people in the industry are all connected, there's no hiding it. This is the information age, nothing is secret. EVERYTHING is out there. It hurts to know that she is harming innocent peoples' lives like this, and by definition would never volunteer information about reports accusing facilities of abuse and wrongdoing. When will people take NOTICE?! I will keep faith in that justice will prevail. My sympathies to anyone and everyone who has had the misfortune of dealing with this hurtful and unjust woman. :karma:
How old do you have to be to move out in Georgia?
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_old_do_yo ... z1fDPl7tED
Answer:
Improve
Moving Out of Your Parents' House in GA
the legal age of majority in Georgia is eighteen (18). Georgia Code Title 39, Chapter 1, Article 1.
A child (anyone under the age of 18) cannot just move out from their parent(s) home. The parent(s) are responsible for the child till that child reaches 18. You can leave your parents' house without their permission when you reach the age of 18, or they can kick you out.
You cannot leave before you reach 18, although there are a few exceptions.
Exceptions to this rule:
* If a child gets pregnant, that child can get married without parental consent and after the marriage will be consider emancipated.
* The teen can become emancipated. There is no prescribed emancipation status laws, such cases are adjudicated on an individual basis. This requires a ruling from a judge. You must convince the judge that there is good legal reason for you to be able to leave your home. In the state of Georgia on an annual basis this happens about a dozen times.
* The teen can join the military with parental consent at age 17.
Pursuant to Georgia common-law emancipation, if a 17-year-old is self-supporting, the parent(s) can grant permission for them to live elsewhere. The parent(s) can also revoke that permission at any time they choose.
NOTE: The above Posters seem unaware that a 17-year-old can now go to prison in Georgia. This created a conflict that supersedes all of the above. A child may now leave home at 17, and they cannot be forced to return, but they cannot be kicked out until 18! Call a police officer and ask.
NOTE: The above persons seems unaware that though a 17 year old is treated as an adult in a court of law and Georgia if you leave your house without parental consent you can be reported as a runaway and will face potential probation, I know I did it. And I don't have to ask a cop they called ME and let me know.
Note: The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) invetigates and will remove a child if abuse is suspected. See Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).
Note: I moved out of my parents house when I was 17. My parents called the law on me that day and the officer told them that they would still legally be responsible for my actions until I was 18 however, at 17 I could legally move out and there was nothing they could do about it. He did say that the only thing they are required to give me if I move out before I was 18 was a single change of clothes. He stood there while I gathered the items I had purchased myself and I left. So yes you can move out at 17 in Georgia but be aware that the only thing your parents are required tolet you take with you is one change of clothes and the items you purchased yourself but you must have proof that you actually purchased the items. Hope this helps some people. ~A~
Note: I actually went to other sites to ask this question, and I found a situation in 2005 that had occured. A 17 year old wanted to move out, and her mom called the cops. The cops told her that they were limited to making sure that the girl was not harmed, abused, was mentally stable and capable, and that she had moved out on her own free will and not because she was in danger. I also found that emancipation is really no longer a law in Georgia. -V
note: tell your parents that you are moving then move if they call the cops nothing can be done! they are not responsible for all your actions! just some!!
note:actually even if you tell your parents about you leaving at 17 the legal age in Georgia got changed in 2007 you cannot leave your parents custody and care own your own until you are 18 unless you have there permission and proof if they kick you out and you are still in highschool they are required to support you until you graduate.self emancipation is hard and judges are rough but if in good reason there cool. I lived with my parents, they kicked me out, and I got a charge of unruly and runaway. Be sure to have proof that you no longer live there. I am only 16, so its possible. Just get proof if they say it record it that's what i did.
You could also get emancipated.
It's when you are 16 years of age or older and you
are free of custody from your parents.
Actually, the people above who said a child can move out at 17 were correct. Under the laws in Georgia, a child is considered an adult in the eyes of the law at 17. The child can move out of their own free will but can not be kicked out until they are 18. Sadly, we are going through this mess now with our unruly daughter. She has been arrested a multitude of times, she spent a month in the county jail (the real jail, not juvenile hall), and she has been hospitalized twice in a psychiatric facility long term. She takes off whenever she feels like it and no matter how many times we call the police (we have called them at least 25 times) they always tell us the same thing....."She is 17. She can leave if she wants to and there is nothing you can do about it. However, if she comes back you HAVE to let her in until she is 18". It doesn't matter how many times she leaves or under what circumstances....if she decides she wants to come back, we have to let her in or face legal repercussions. In other words, if we refuse to let her back in, WE could be charged with neglect and/or abandonment. Oh and the kicker is this.....when she does take off, we are still legally responsible for her actions. We do not have to give her anything or financially support her if she chooses to leave. However, while she is out there doing whatever she does, we are responsible for whatever she does. So in other words, if she goes out there and hurts someone, we are responsible for any damages or expenses she causes until she turns 18. Even after being told this my too many police officers to count, we didn't believe it could be accurate so we checked with a lawyer and were told that it is indeed the truth.
Georgia is the most ass-backwards state I have ever lived in. The parents here have no rights whatsoever.
From an attorney that works in juvenile courts in Georgia: At 17, a child can be prosecuted as a runaway. While 17 y/o's are tried for criminal offenses in as adults, 17 y/o's can still be prosecuted in juvenile court for "status offenses." Status offenses are offenses that are not crimes for adults, such as runaway, truancy, and unruly child (refusal to obey parents). If a 17 year old leaves his parents' home with the intent to permanently abandon it, without the parents' consent, he is a runaway and can be prosecuted as such.
From the Georgia Code:
TITLE 19. DOMESTIC RELATIONS
CHAPTER 7. PARENT AND CHILD RELATIONSHIP GENERALLY
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 19-7-1. In whom parental power lies; how such power lost;
(a) Until a child reaches the age of 18 or becomes emancipated, the child shall remain under the control of his or her parents, who are entitled to the child's services and the proceeds of the child's labor.
TITLE 15. COURTS
CHAPTER 11. JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
ARTICLE 1. JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 15-11-2. Definitions
As used in this chapter, the term:
(2) "Child" means any individual who is:
(A) Under the age of 17 years;
(B) Under the age of 21 years, who committed an act of delinquency before reaching the age of 17 years, and who has been placed under the supervision of the court or on probation to the court; or
(C) Under the age of 18 years, if alleged to be a "deprived child" or a "status offender" as defined by this Code section.
("Deprived child" means a child who:
(A) Is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for the child's physical, mental, or emotional health or morals;
(B) Has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law;
(C) Has been abandoned by his or her parents or other legal custodian; or
(D) Is without a parent, guardian, or custodian.
(11) "Status offender" means a child who is charged with or adjudicated of an offense which would not be a crime if it were committed by an adult, in other words, an act which is only an offense because of the perpetrator's status as a child. Such offenses shall include, but are not limited to, truancy, running away from home, incorrigibility, and unruly behavior.
(12) "Unruly child" means a child who:
(A) While subject to compulsory school attendance is habitually and without justification truant from school;
(B) Is habitually disobedient of the reasonable and lawful commands of his or her parent, guardian, or other custodian and is ungovernable;
(C) Has committed an offense applicable only to a child;
(D) Without just cause and without the consent of his or her parent or legal custodian deserts his or her home or place of abode;
(E) Wanders or loiters about the streets of any city, or in or about any highway or any public place, between the hours of 12:00 Midnight and 5:00 A.M.;
(F) Disobeys the terms of supervision contained in a court order which has been directed to such child, who has been adjudicated unruly; or
(G) Patronizes any bar where alcoholic beverages are being sold, unaccompanied by such child's parents, guardian, or custodian, or possesses alcoholic beverages; and
(H) In any of the foregoing, is in need of supervision, treatment, or rehabilitation; or
(I) Has committed a delinquent act and is in need of supervision, but not of treatment or rehabilitation.
ARTICLE 6. EMANCIPATION OF MINORS
§ 15-11-202. Minor seeking emancipation by petition; requirements
A minor seeking emancipation shall file a petition for emancipation in the juvenile court in the county where the minor resides. The petition shall be signed and verified by the minor, and shall include:
(1) The minor's full name and birth date, and the county and state where the minor was born;
(2) A certified copy of the minor's birth certificate;
(3) The name and last known address of the minor's parents or guardian, and if no parent or guardian can be found, the name and address of the minor's nearest living relative residing within this state;
(4) The minor's present address and length of residency at that address;
(5) A declaration by the minor indicating that he or she has demonstrated the ability to manage his or her financial affairs; the minor may include any information he or she considers necessary to support the declaration;
(6) A declaration by the minor indicating that he or she has the ability to manage his or her personal and social affairs; the minor may include any information he or she considers necessary to support the declaration; and
(7) The names of adults who have personal knowledge of the minor's circumstances and believe that under those circumstances emancipation is in the best interest of the minor. Such individuals may include any of the following:
(A) Physician or osteopath licensed pursuant to Chapter 34 of Title 43;
(B) Registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed pursuant to Chapter 26 of Title 43;
(C) Psychologist licensed pursuant to Chapter 39 of Title 43;
(D) Professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist licensed pursuant to Chapter 10A of Title 43;
(E) School guidance counselor, school social worker, or school psychologist;
(F) School administrator, school principal, or school teacher;
(G) Member of the clergy;
(H) Law enforcement officer; or
(I) Attorney.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_old_do_yo ... z1fDPypEO1
A person commenting on this story: http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/c ... at_a_utah/ tells of the time when his parents had paid escorts to take him from his home. The attempt failed.
His comments are posted below and can be found here: http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comm ... rvices_is/ his screen name is nazihatinchimp.Quotenazihatinchimp 32 points33 points34 points 6 months ago
They sign over their parental rights to the escort service. My mom, who is crazy, thought I had a cocaine problem (I didn't) in high school. She convinced my dad, who lived states away, of this and people came to drag me out in the middle of the night. They asked if I wanted to do this the easy way or the hard way and I chose the later. Blah Blah Blah the police were called and what the escort service didn't know that as a 17 year old living is South Carolina I was legally an adult and they broke the law. Worst. Practice. Ever.
TL;DR They get around the legal issues by temporarily signing over their parental rights.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8386011_legal-rights-17yearolds-south-carolina.html
Legal Rights of 17-Year-Olds in South Carolina
X
Jonita Davis
1.
Medical Consent
*
In South Carolina, a 17-year-old has the right to consent or deny treatments or tests on his own body. Parents cannot override these rights without going to court and proving the 17-year-old patient unfit to make his own medical decisions. These rights extend to consent after death, the 17-year-old has the right to refuse or consent to donating body parts, refusing resuscitation or performing diagnostics on the body.
Driving
*
A relevant comment on the site.
Kathy Daniels · Chesterfield Marlboro Tec
A South Carolina policeman recently told my daughter (that was 16 at the time) that she had to follow my rules until she turned 17 then she could be out on her own. Approximately 3 weeks after she turned 17 she left home. The same police dept. told me there was nothing they could do about it but look for her and ask her to return home because they couldn't make her come because she was an adult at 17!
Reply · Like
· Sunday at 10:13pm
http://www.ehow.com/info_8386011_legal-rights-17yearolds-south-carolina.html
Legal Rights of 17-Year-Olds in South Carolina
X
Jonita Davis
Jonita Davis is freelance writer and marketing consultant. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including "The LaPorte County Herald Argus" and Work.com. Davis also authored the book, "Michigan City Marinas," which covers the history of the Michigan City Port Authority. Davis holds a bachelor's degree in English from Purdue University.
By Jonita Davis, eHow Contributor
updated May 09, 2011
In every state within the U.S., a minor is a child who is younger than 18 years of age. Minors' rights are heavily restricted under the premise that one has to reach a certain age of majority before rights are granted. However, not all minors are at the mercy of their parents. In fact, 17-year-olds hold a few rights in the state of South Carolina that are protected by the state legal code.
Read more: Legal Rights of 17-Year-Olds in South Carolina | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8386011_legal- ... z1fDD2LWQ2
1.
Medical Consent
*
In South Carolina, a 17-year-old has the right to consent or deny treatments or tests on his own body. Parents cannot override these rights without going to court and proving the 17-year-old patient unfit to make his own medical decisions. These rights extend to consent after death, the 17-year-old has the right to refuse or consent to donating body parts, refusing resuscitation or performing diagnostics on the body.
Driving
*
At age 17, the South Carolina teen has the right to a full driver's license. If the teen is receiving the license for the first time, it will be a permit and then a restricted driver's license. With it, he can drive alone during the day or with one passenger under age 21. Driving at night or with more than on minor passenger requires an adult over the age of 21 in the car. After a year of good driving (no accidents or tickets), the teen receives a full license. The minimum age for receiving a license with full privileges is 17.
Reproductive Rights
*
Many states have passed legislation protecting the legal rights of teen girls. South Carolina is not different. The 17-year-old has the right to seek and receive birth control without parental consent. She can also seek prenatal care, adoption for the child or medical care for the infant after birth, all without consent from the parents. The state does require parental consent for abortions.
Emancipation
*
Teens who seek to control their own finances, living arrangements and to receive the rights of an adult have the right to petition the courts for emancipation. Emancipated minors are legally granted the rights of a mature adult. The teen must prove to the court that he is financially responsible, having a means to provide food, shelter and other needs without parental support.
Read more: Legal Rights of 17-Year-Olds in South Carolina | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8386011_legal- ... z1fDDASAkV
Kathy Daniels · Chesterfield Marlboro Tec
A South Carolina policeman recently told my daughter (that was 16 at the time) that she had to follow my rules until she turned 17 then she could be out on her own. Approximately 3 weeks after she turned 17 she left home. The same police dept. told me there was nothing they could do about it but look for her and ask her to return home because they couldn't make her come because she was an adult at 17!
Reply · Like
· Sunday at 10:13pm
Thanks for posting a link to this, cmack!Alone Without A Home (pdf)[/list]
StarKilla 109 points110 points111 points 6 months ago
sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted on
I was escorted to SUWS of the carolinas from the New England area. At the airport they told me if I tried to pull anything funny (like yell "kidnap!") that we would just have to drive the whole way. When we got breakfast before taking off, one of the escorts interrupted me as I tried to order hot coffee, saying I couldn't be trusted with it. One of my biggest regrets is not throwing the iced coffee I got instead in their faces.
The program I went to was a sort of intermediary on the way to the type of lock-down boarding school Xandir went to. 90% of people I met there graduated to such a school. I am somewhat ashamed that I played ball with the program and at times rolled over like their lap dog, but it is a horrible place to have your interaction with people and freedom so cripplingly regulated (only outside interaction was one weekly letter to parents). I ended up convincing my parents through the letters to change their minds and let me come home instead of the boarding school, much to the annoyance of my head counselor. Which really fucking pissed me off, because the only reason I got motivated in the first place was the alluring possibility of getting out on good behavior. Well I was fucking good, everyone said so, including my head counselor to my face, and what do you know, when the program is wrapping up for me he's giving strong recommendations to my parents to ship me off to the next thinly veiled mental institution/prison.
some people I met there were there for hard drug use or selling. one was a kid who had never done any drugs or drank, but defected from the cult he was born into and wound up at the program under the impression that it was a windsurfing camp. one kid lived dozens of miles from his closest neighbor in the middle of nowhere, and stole a cell phone from his dad. i think he was like 13. one girl was there because, "she had low self-esteem". one kid had aspergers, and was damn annoying, but had never broken the law either.
some people dug their heels in and refused to participate. i respect those ones a lot. the rest were somewhere between convincing their group that they gladly ate all of the program's bullshit up, and actually eating it, without there always being a clear line between the two. there was no sort of emergency button for the kids; if you screamed, the only people who could hear you were the people keeping you there and away from people who might hear you.
I told my folks in my pleading letter to let me come home that I wouldn't harbor any ill will if they let me, that I would just be grateful for a second chance and would try my best. I did try my best when I got back home, but I was forced into a position where I never had the benefit of the doubt and lost my ability to stick up for myself. It also became clear eventually that I did in fact still resent my parents for hiring some assholes to kidnap me and ship me off, but the threat of getting sent away again was constantly looming. so i had to nurture absolutely disingenuous unhealthy one-sided relationships with my parents where they had taken the shit-feeding spoon straight from the program and any responsibility for blame on their part was impossible and i was responsible for all blame in all situations as an inevitability.
my mom kicked me out of her house 3 days after I got back home for leaving a window open.
the situations these kids are put in are totally absolutely 100% fucked. if nothing else, it is psychological abuse. you can feign playing the game, and they know you're faking it, but if they keep you there for long enough you will crack. seriously like the ending of 1984.
When I got to the place I was amazed that it was legal, and then very scared. I couldn't believe no one talks about these places. When I got out, I wished I could save everyone from having to go, but I was set to getting my life back on track and I couldn't figure out how to try and bring awareness to the issue, and kind of just forgot about it. call it survivor's guilt.
StarKilla 19 points20 points21 points 6 months ago
sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted on
i'm 22, got sent away at 16, my folks are divorced. i actually got shipped off in the first place for getting caught with an ounce of low-quality weed. my dad realizes it was a mistake to send me there (all things considered, i did get to enjoy the hiking/camping environment of the appalachian mountains for two months while i was there, i learned some great things, but i just didnt like that they were often bundled with bullshit, and i totally disagree with the method.) i thought maybe by now my mom would have seen how i'm just like i've always been, never been arrested, and doing ok for myself. my mom maintains to this day that i deserved it, which i recently found out when my little brother was discovered by her with 4 ounces of high-quality weed and i asked her about it. no punishment for him, and it was to be kept a secret from my dad. she said that their mistake was i should have been sent to the boarding school. i still don't fully understand. i just wanted an appology from my mom, not to get my little bro in trouble, but all my siblings and her cared about was that i didnt tell my dad. that was a bitter pill to swallow!
sublimelife 46 points47 points48 points 6 months ago
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I also went to CCM, and if you can believe it was worse when I was there. 2000-2001. It has taken almost the entire 10 years that I have been out to get over what happened there. I am still working to de-program myself. It does get better though. I don't know what my life would be like if I hadn't gone, that was taken from me, but I can live how I want now. I am better because I survived it, stronger. I know, for sure, exactly how I will live and what I will tolerate and anything that reminds me of something from there, I know to RUN in the opposite direction. Thank you for sharing your story. You are stronger too. It takes extraordinary courage to stand up to abuse and I commend you for seeing the evil and attempting to do something to change it. You are a hero.
pixel8Pixie39 points40 points41 points 6 months ago
sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted on
Amazingly enough, survivors have little desire for revenge, most of them just want the abuse to stop. These are supposedly 'bad' kids, and a lot of them end up with social issues because normal behavior is punished (ie, friendships, relationships, bonding, treating people nice).
You have the exact, right idea by screaming in the airport. I don't know the exact details, but you can't transport an unwilling kid. Unfortunately, by the time they get the kids to the airport, they have been subdued and resigned to their fate. I mean, they're kids, they don't know any better. I wouldn't either except I read about it.
The regular cops technically would have to back up the parents and kidnappers, unfortunately. I've seen people post online to tell the cops you are being molested or abused, anything to be able to escape going to these facilities.
dervid 17 points18 points19 points 6 months ago
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My "escorts" told me it wouldn't matter if I screamed and made a scene because I would still go, but the trip would be much more uncomfortable for me. they gave me the cigarettes i requested and i was 15 so i caved and believed them in fear and resigned myself to my fate. its all a haze in my memory really. i remember flying with them from seattle to vegas, getting into a rental car in vegas and then just driving off into the desert towards utah. fucking surreal. i nearly talked myself into jumping out of the moving car into the desert (at 60-70mph...) but i didn't want to die and i knew it. i was just fucking in shock i think. reality didn't really set in for me until they made me strip of my "street clothes" shower with anti-lice shampoo, put on a uniform and took my eyebrow ring.
BlazerMorte 82 points83 points84 points 6 months ago
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I can confirm a lot of what she's said. Anyone claiming homosexuality in their past were badgered in an attempt to get them to recant and insulted mercilessly if they didn't.
I was there before she was, but Ron Garrett actually used me as an example to the entire facility, bringing me into other groups' therapy sessions, girls' side meetings and therapy sessions, etc. to have me 'preach' the horrors of TB to try to dissuade kids from acting up and getting sent there.
The program was very, very Mormon. Most staff were Mormon, the program was Mormon, the creator of the seminars and founder of the company running them is Mormon. I remember once on a service project at the human society, the lady in charge there did lunch for us. We had Shasta soda, a brand traditionally caffeine free and therefore popular in Utah, to drink. Soon after, we found out that one of the types actually had caffeine. All of the kids freaked out, thinking they were going to get in trouble. Many of them actually gave themselves punishments, rather than even seek clarification.
I never actually lived at Pro 1, that's where the worst groups were housed. I lived almost my entire time there at the off-campus facilities, West and South. Living there was a privilege, so we worked hard to keep it.
djjuno 15 points16 points17 points 6 months ago
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I was placed in the Turnabout program http://www.turnaboutteens.org when I was 14 for being disobedient to my step father. I am 29 now. I would have to say it was the worst experience in my life. I was in there for 5 months while I was trying to be reconditioned to have what they called a normal life. I can remember the pain and mental abuse from the counselors that I received. I remember being put in holds on the ground while I my counselors boot was pressed down on my head while I was so called "acting out" or just not agreeing to do what they told me to do.
I remember how they would take kids that were "acting out" and putting them in the corner of a room and have everyone in the facility yell at them. I heard of stories about them putting kids in the closet while duct tapping their hands behind their back and leaving them in there all day.
We were not able to speak out aloud or talk to the other kids unless we were a cretin level in the "program" They used everything they could against us while pumping us full of drugs that they so called doctors subscribed. I remember that I just never listened to what they told me do do and eventually they took away having milk on my cereal in the morning..
Granted i didn't have it as bad as some of the kids in the program.. but I came out of the place with having some pretty serious metal damage. I had night terrors from 15 to 21 years old where I would dream about fighting the counselors and or just trying to escape that place. Which i'm guessing is a form of PTSD. It still makes my stomach turn and get's me all pissed when I talk about it but bleh.. Sorry about all the bad grammar. Hopefully this will help someone who is thinking about putting their child into one of these programs.
I have always wanted to take some kind of recourse on this place for the metal damaged that was caused but I could never thing of anything other then blowing the dam place up lol. I would love to sue their ass to shut them down, but I doubt that would be possible now..
silenceisdanger 13 points14 points15 points 6 months ago*
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Xandir,
I am so incredibly sad to read this and as former troubled teen I offer you my deepest empathy. In 2000 I was at Sorenson's up near Richmond, UT and I remember hearing Cross Creek's name a few times while I was there.
Everything in that story is par for the course in the "teen reform" industry. Sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance, violence towards youth, all of it is the same. My friend and I were placed in solitary confinement (which involved sitting upright and still on the edge of a bed facing the back wall inside a tiny stall from the crack of dawn until late at night) until we made false confessions about having sex with each other. The only touches passed between us were cuddling and playing with each other's (short and likely "lesbian looking") hair. They debated whether or not to allow us to bunk with the rest of the girls as they feared we'd rape or molest them. The same line was fed to my openly lesbian friend there and when I spoke out about discrimination against her we were taken into an office and threatened with a solid week of solitary confinement if we raised the issue.
What's awful is how normal it all seems over time. When you're in that world you have to accept it. You have no power, no recourse, nothing. Any time child protective services made a visit or a parent toured the facility the staff rounded up students with the highest levels who had the most to lose and had them act as representatives. The desire to scream and tell the stranger in front of you what's really happening is immense but the risk is too great. Even if you say something you don't have enough credibility (read: age) to make something happen.
I remember my second month there I told a staff the facility would get shut down one day. She laughed at me and said, "That's what they all say." I'm sad that over a decade later these American Madrassas are still open.
A word of hope for you Xandir: time heals all wounds. The first years after getting out are the hardest. I moved through the rest of the world carrying this dark, painful secret and unable/unwilling to tell anyone because I thought it was too scary or strange. For years I suffered from PTSD and struggled to make eye contact or speak without reflexively staring at the ground and covering my mouth. I had nightmares that the staff found me and kidnapped me again. (One of my escorts restrained me in the backseat of the car by choking me with his arm and body weight.) But after awhile, the memories fade a little bit and that awful, tangled poison of emotions subside. Not completely but enough.
If you can, I encourage you to go see a therapist at some point. I know it can be hard after enduring the forced "therapy" sessions but there are people who can help you gain a more healing perspective. Please contact me if you want to talk. I completely understand what you've been through.
For anyone else reading this, feeling horrified that this goes on unnoticed, you can help. First: send and post this everywhere. Next: take action by donating to groups working to advocate for survivors and reform legislation. This is a good hub to begin with: http://teenadvocatesusa.homestead.com/T ... ustry.html
Here are some accounts from youth and parents about the center that locked me up: http://www.heal-online.org/sorensen.htm
Here is a lawsuit they brought against a Myspace group criticizing the school: http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/sore ... escription
And is an info page with the congressional hearings on the Teen Reform Industry: http://www.heal-online.org/childtortureusa.htm
For a long, informed documentary, check out this PBS Special: http://www.montanapbs.org/WhosWatchingTheKids/
Remember: our youth are our future. This is no way to handle our future.
red9001 22 points23 points24 points 6 months ago
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I went to teen challenge boys ranch which was similar to this program. I have personally seen people try to get out of this program by drinking bleach, I have seen them break limbs and work out people from morning to night non stop for days on end. My mother never understood it until one day I had a panic attack from a flashback, I was diagnosed with PTSD by a shrink. I cannot function as a normal person now, I believe everyone is out to get me. Kids really do not rights and its so sad that we can not even defend ourselves
chotheamazing 8 points9 points10 points 6 months ago*
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I spent 2 years at Heritage RTC in provo, utah from 2004 - 2006. Now this is one of the better of the schools, but still has some flaws. Originally my mom was going to place me at Provo Canyon but after hearing horror stories about it through friends parents as well as local support group families she decided against it and canceled the bed they had on hold for me.
A little back history, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 11. Didn't really dabble too much into drugs, but started to closer towards the few months before I was sent there. I mainly had a lot of lows from the bipolar, and dealt with self harm and several suicide attempts. Now Heritage had the double standard.. boys were allowed to have CD players, girls couldn't. Boys were allowed to listen to radio stations the girls were allowed to listen to. Just random small stuff like this is what I experienced from Heritage.
The only thing that made my 2 year experience slightly uncomfortable while being boarded up there was the fact that we would frequently visit the church to hold meetings with our unit/dorm. I'm Christian, so I didn't really have too big of a problem about being in there, but out of common courtesy they are supposed to put the blinds down over all the paintings and crosses. This actually caused a lot of drama with the other girls who were atheist. I stand by them, it may be something most individuals can overlook, but its just something that should be done anyway. I developed a great friendship with 2 of my counselors and we would always sit and talk about life and my issues and just general stuff.. sometimes they would bring up the whole religious thing off topic. I personally have things against the ideas and beliefs of mormonism, and the fact that sometimes they would try to bring it up in a therapuetic matter just didn't work out.
My experience overall was very beneficial. I had been in and out of psych wards since I was 11, and medicated heavily for 7 years. I feel that my personal experience actually benefited me. I don't use coping skills, or any of the cliche terms and activities they used. But the general ideas gave me a great insight behind basic techniques and survival skills to being a "norm" in society.
I left Heritage graduating a year early from high school, and went off my meds the minute I got home. It was a bit rocky at first of course, especially being on Serequol for almost 7 years at that point, and being on the trileptol for a little over 1 year. I have been off my medication now for 6 years and have been doing great. I saw a therapist for the first few months out of heritage, and just started up again because I had been feeling a bit off for quite sometime now.
It is very unfortunate that you had to deal with this, and I feel that the word should get out there that some schools do stuff like this. But just to put it out there, not all of them are like this. I feel that being placed at Heritage made me very fortunate. A lot of girls at Heritage came there as a step down program from other schools (provo canyon, wilderness, cross creek, island view, etc.). Provo was the worst I heard about, where staff were blatantly having "relationships" with the clients. Dating them, giving them special privileges for sexual acts, and more.
TL;DR I spent 2 years at Heritage with little to no issues. Not every school is like what the OP is saying, but a majority of them are and need to be closed.
EDIT Was also going to add about the restraints. I had been sent to ISU (intensive support unit) several times for the smallest of things. Even for having a disagreement with a staff member because I felt that what they were saying was wrong. I had one experience where I was crying really hard and they wanted to send me down there for the night. And they had the staff guys come to get me and they just kind of dragged me, didn't even give me the oppurtunity to walk myself or ask me if I was going to cooperate. I was crying so hard I told them that I had to throw up, and they still kept walking and I ended up throwing up all over them and myself because they wouldn't stop. That was pretty much the worst I had ever experienced at Heritage.
NSView 8 points9 points10 points 6 months ago
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Never went through anything like this myself, but when I was in high school, one guy I know got body-grabbed by a couple of goons about six months before he turned 18.
They made the mistake of keeping him in false imprisonment past his age of majority. He escaped during a "home visit", I think about a year after the kidnapping, by throwing a kitchen table through a bay window. He jumped out, bolted to a police station, and filed charges against his parents, and everyone in the criminal organization that he could name. Never did hear how the litigation ended up.
Boobzilla 13 points14 points15 points 6 months ago
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Omg. My sister went to one of these schools a few years back, and I knew it was bad-but not that bad. My parents sent her there because she had just stopped going to school, so I thought it might be a good idea for her...until she got back and told me about it. After what she told me, I felt awful for being a part of putting her there....but now, I think I feel even worse. : (
GuidedKamikaze 7 points8 points9 points 6 months ago
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I also experienced this as well, different facility same end result. I remember telling my father that if he were to send me to one of these places I would never speak to him again and so far several years later it still holds true.
Luckily enough my mental fortitude was such that it had no long term effect to my state of mind but I will never forget the feeling that lingered after I left. Weeks directly after leaving I was completely devoid of what can be considered normal thought, I am almost sure it was severe ptsd. So many nights waking up expecting to find myself back there and countless nightmares just from the kidnapping alone. Many of the problems years after leaving I can contribute to the experience. The only thing that saved me from that place was actually testicular cancer as my insurance would not cover costs in utah. I remember thinking and the time (and still do to some extent) that the cancer was a godsend and would happily trade all the pain associated with cancer over that. I think that accurately describes the atrocities that places such as this produce.
Facilities like this do so much damage to so many kids it is absolutely disgusting. I can honestly say that the facility did no good to anyone involved and from what I could tell it was almost purely for the profit of a few individuals powered by the mormon church. Unfortunately I don't see any amount of action from anyone changing any of this as mormons OWN utah and everything political around it. These sort of camps will continue as long as there is profit to be made and the mormon religion holds and sort of power.
KnevetS 6 points7 points8 points 6 months ago
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I have (had) two friends who went through these programs. One went batshit religious, the other has disappeared. The programs (that I've seen) target well off parents who have control issues with their kids. Both were pretty normal before the programs, both came back off-kilter and had problems adjusting to the real world.
Neither of their parents acknowledge the damage that they caused.
nemimi 6 points7 points8 points 6 months ago
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I was sent to one of these facilities in Utah when I was 15. I wasn't kidnapped in the middle of the night, but taken by police to Charter Hospital for an overnight stay before being picked up by Sorensen's Ranch School staff for the drive from Los Angeles to Koosharem, UT.
I have to admit that there were good things about the experience (woodshop classes, horses, learning to heard cattle), but it was generally pretty awful and I was surrounded by kids with criminal records & violent behavior problems.
What did I do to deserve this punishment? Sex? Drugs? Trouble with the law? Nope. I ran away from home twice. To get away from an abusive stepfather.
I had nightmares about being sent back until I was an adult. When I moved cross-country in my early 20's I took a massive detour to go through Koosharem just to see if it had been real. Sadly, it was, and sadly, there was another generation of "troubled teens" stuck there, learning bad behaviors from each other & growing angrier & angrier by the minute.
I'm now a somewhat well-adjusted almost 32 year old with a great career, but for some reason I'm still occasionally pretty pissed at being abandoned as a teenager.
nazihatinchimp 32 points33 points34 points 6 months ago
They sign over their parental rights to the escort service. My mom, who is crazy, thought I had a cocaine problem (I didn't) in high school. She convinced my dad, who lived states away, of this and people came to drag me out in the middle of the night. They asked if I wanted to do this the easy way or the hard way and I chose the later. Blah Blah Blah the police were called and what the escort service didn't know that as a 17 year old living is South Carolina I was legally an adult and they broke the law. Worst. Practice. Ever.
TL;DR They get around the legal issues by temporarily signing over their parental rights.
nazihatinchimp 22 points23 points24 points 6 months ago
I didn't enough. Everyone convinced me not to press charges and I didn't. They dragged me through the house. My parents were supposed to be gone but they dragged me into a room and they were sitting there. They let them do it and I flipped out. It was terrible. Always press charges people. I'll do an AMA if there is interest.
nazihatinchimp 3 points4 points5 points 6 months ago*
I'll do one tomorrow and I'll make sure it gets posted there. Edit: I would do it now but I want to give it the proper time.
nazihatinchimp 29 points30 points31 points 6 months ago
Whatever, the place the people tried to drag/fly me too was in Utah and could very well be the same place. The people are chill as long as you are ok with getting your rights stomped on. Other wise they are condescending, mean, threatening and feel like they are better than you. Fuck those people and I am tempted to tell you to go fuck yourself too for being a part of that. No human being deserves to be whisked away in the middle of the night from their home or their bedroom. The event changed my life for the worse and I regret not sending the people who tried to drag me away to jail to this day.
No one deserves to be treated that way unless they are an outright violent menace.