Thank You Bishop

[_RayAgostini]

"He is using manipulation and intimidating tactics in attempts to avoid accountability in his program."

How ironical.

[_Yoda]

Eric, did you ever tell your parents about the abuse?

[_marg]

Eric, did you ever feel that if you complied and played their game that they'd release you? Did you ever play their game or try to?

If WRA..is guaranteed monthly payment by a church run ward..there is no incentive to release you before they have to on your 18th birthday. And they are in total control of that decision..as opposed to some independent group or professional individual with no financial interest. Also your parents would have little incentive to question your progress and push to have them release you as long as the church is paying the bill.

[_Chap]

Eric, did you ever tell your parents about the abuse?

If I remember Eric's earlier postings correctly, parents were specifically told by the camp authorities in standard briefing material that they must expect inmates to make up stories of oppression and mistreatment, and that this was a normal stage through which they had to pass on their way to recovery.

And of course, the parents should not take any notice of such complaints ...

[_Eric]

Eric, did you ever tell your parents about the abuse?

If I remember Eric's earlier postings correctly, parents were specifically told by the camp authorities in standard briefing material that they must expect inmates to make up stories of oppression and mistreatment, and that this was a normal stage through which they had to pass on their way to recovery.

And of course, the parents should not take any notice of such complaints ...

Correct. To my surprise, it's still on their web site.

http://westridgeacademy.com/philosophy.aspx

It must happen a lot. The consequence when I was there for reporting *anything* negative to your parents was start your program over (adding 6 months to your time and a wool blanket and rope leash to your outfit).

What Your Child May Do...Triangulation/Splitting. Example: Your child gets you alone and tells you about the mean things staff members are saying to him/her.

This is where your child will try to split one parent against the therapist or the other parent to get his/her way. The child's goal is to dismantle those who are holding him/her accountable for his/her actions. Your child may even say, "Don't tell the therapist because I will get into trouble." The more united we are, the more effective the treatment and program will be.
 
Fear Factor. Example: "All my roommates are drug addicts or gay." "I am not as bad as everyone else here." "The staff beats up the students." "The food isn't nutritious." "The school isn't very good." This is probably the most subtle and commonly used tool. If your child uses this technique, his/her goal is to split us. Your child is playing upon your fears to attempt to change the outcome. Your child wants West Ridge Academy to become the bad guy. If you have concerns, please check them out with your therapist in a way that continues to support the therapy we are doing. Fears are normal but usually based on false evidence. Never let your child see you challenge staff or West Ridge as a whole. Always bring your concerns to us outside of your child's presence.

This is what their web site says now, post Mormon gulag.com. During the Buttars administration, while I was there, they were much less PR conscious.

[_Yoda]

Eric, did you ever feel that if you complied and played their game that they'd release you? Did you ever play their game or try to?

If WRA..is guaranteed monthly payment by a church run ward..there is no incentive to release you before they have to on your 18th birthday. And they are in total control of that decision..as opposed to some independent group or professional individual with no financial interest. Also your parents would have little incentive to question your progress and push to have them release you as long as the church is paying the bill.

You would think that they would want their son home.

I know that I would be anxious for that to happen. I think that if I noticed an improvement of behavior, I would probably say, "the Hell with this, the program has done what it needed to do, let's try keeping our son home."

Of course, I would strongly question why a child would be making up abuse stories out of thin air if nothing was actually occurring.

[_marg]

You would think that they would want their son home.

I know that I would be anxious for that to happen. I think that if I noticed an improvement of behavior, I would probably say, "the Hell with this, the program has done what it needed to do, let's try keeping our son home."

Of course, I would strongly question why a child would be making up abuse stories out of thin air if nothing was actually occurring.

You would think Eric would have been able to convince his parents of the abuse.

When I looked into this and read stories from people sent to these places, more often than not it seemed step-parents were involved. Perhaps step parents have less of an emotional vested interest in the well being of a step child but it may also that it is more likely that teens there are from families with parents separated or divorced. So if more there do have step parents, don't know what the cause and effect would be.

[_Yoda]

You would think that they would want their son home.

I know that I would be anxious for that to happen. I think that if I noticed an improvement of behavior, I would probably say, "the Hell with this, the program has done what it needed to do, let's try keeping our son home."

Of course, I would strongly question why a child would be making up abuse stories out of thin air if nothing was actually occurring.

You would think Eric would have been able to convince his parents of the abuse.

When I looked into this and read stories from people sent to these places, more often than not it seemed step-parents were involved. Perhaps step parents have less of an emotional vested interest in the well being of a step child but it may also that it is more likely that teens there are from families with parents separated or divorced. So if more there do have step parents, don't know what the cause and effect would be.

I think you're right as far as the whole step parent concept is concerned.

In any case, Eric, I am so sorry that you had to go through this. My heart aches every time I hear this story.

If your story can help prevent other children from going through this, at least something positive will have happened. No child should have to suffer from abuse. It needs to be stopped.

[_Yoda]

Eric, have your parents ever admitted that they made a mistake by sending you to this place?

[_Yoda]

This story makes me want to adopt Eric every time I hear it.