Jersey Girl wrote:
About alleged abuse at the ranch.
No we don't know about abuse other than what can be gleaned about the program based upon its website and how it might seem to relate to other schools and their programs of which more information might be known. And in searching one can get information off the net. For example that story of the Icy Hot incident which is horrific, was told on a blog by someone who only mentioned it incidentally. I happened to come across it because I searched a teacher's name from Westridge and the blog writer, mentioned that teacher. So in that particular case the abuse that person experienced seems credible given the context in which the information was presented. It also adds some credence that at the time Eric attended if these sorts of things went on as the blog writer mentioned, then Eric's story of abduction, rough treatment, made to wear a blanket, few privileges, treated with disrespect seem credible relative to what that person said. It's consistent.
in my opinion the abuse is not one particular thing but the program itself. If as it appears to be the case it offers behavior modification in the form of a system of graded levels, where everyone starts out at the bottom and treated with disrespect and then they go up levels earning privileges as long as they conform and comply..I personally think that is abusive, in particular the initial disrespect and just reading its website we can glean it pretty much forces the particular Mormon beliefs upon the kids.
The types of things Eric had to say, wearing blankets wasn't a prime concern. But what he described is consistent with what I've read of other behavior modification residential places and as Danna pointed out these programs which emphasize punishment, disrespect and creating fear are ineffective in long term positive behavioral growth.
About GoodK's intent when posting the email.
About DCP's intent when he referred step dad to the posted email.
About the status of GoodK's relationship with step dad before and after the heads up about the email.
But you had said in a previous post that people should move on, so you shouldn't be interested in bringing all the above back up in discussion.
GoodK wrote:The long and "sort" of it is Mr. Napoleon doesn't know what he is talking about, as usual. He doesn't know what reports have been filed, what sort of documentation I have. No one has seen all the pieces to this puzzle yet, which won't be available until my book is published.[/qu
I had to sift through about 50 zillion posts to find this comment he made:
1. He's saying that no one knows what reports have been filed, when in a previous post he claims that messages to licensing have not been returned. That leaves me to ask, "What reports? You have no reports."
2. He says that no one knows what sort of documentaion he has. If he has documentation where the hell is the report filed with social services?
3. He says that no one has seen all the pieces to the puzzle yet and that they won't be available until his book is published.
marg...if he has "all the pieces to the puzzle" they should be on a desk at social services YESTERDAY.
That's why it bothers me.
I think information should be in the hands of a lawyer who can determine what if anything can be done. The problem from what I can gather is that because there aren't government regulations in most states over this industry so places like social services can't do anything legally. You would see that if you watched the video I linked to yesterday. And it's not an easy case for a lawyer, so lots wouldn't take such cases on. Kids from these programs lack credibility, evidences is not easy to get, and if regulations aren't there, the schools aren't operating illegally. Sure if a child dies, then they can be sued for negligence, but in general how does a lawyer sue for an ineffective program. Some people call it abusive and others don't.
Further, I am a mandated reporter. If I had information that children were being actively abused, there is no way that anyone would have to wait until I published a book to see "all the pieces" and documentation. The documentation would be on a desk at social services and/or law enforcement.
Do you think behavior modification, in which all privileges are taken away and individuals gain privileges as they comply is abusive? Do you think forcing a particular religion on kids in these schools is abusive. Not allowing communicating with parents if parents agree, is abusive. Do you think moving rocks as a punishment from point A to B is abusive? Not allowed to read books unless privileges gained abusive? Abuse is not simple to prove, nor establish.
When asked if he has filed a report, his answer was that his calls aren't being returned. To that I say "b***s***". If I had documentation, all the pieces of the puzzle I'd take it to a face to face appearance and be jumping up and down on someone's desk until I got a response.
It's too late for him to file a report, and quite frankly it wouldn't do any good. The system needs to change so that parents are better informed, these places are regulated and not allowed to offer emotionally damaging programs. Eric can't do that by filing a complaint. He can get the information out in a book, he can seek a lawyer but even then it's iffy if a lawyer can make a good case.