Trending...
- Tampa-Based Digital Marketing Agency Launches New Website to Help Local Businesses Grow Online
- Global Families Turn to Young Travelers Concierge Amid Rising Safety Concerns in the U.S
- DuoKey to Unveil Encrypted Financial Intelligence Use Case at GISEC Global 2025
CCHR Urges Parents to Seek Constitutional Justice for Abused Teens
LOS ANGELES - illiNews -- A newly published report in the University of Baltimore Law Review reveals widespread abuse and negligence in the troubled teen industry, where thousands of adolescents suffer mistreatment in unregulated wilderness camps, boot camps, and behavioral health facilities each year. With an estimated 150,000–200,000 teens placed in these programs annually, families entrust their children to facilities promising rehabilitation. However, many teens return home traumatized, and some do not return at all.[1] For more than 30 years, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) has investigated mistreatment in the troubled teen industry and private psychiatric hospitals. CCHR urges greater transparency, oversight, and protection of youth placed in these programs.
"We have spent decades exposing the harsh reality of these programs, where children are subjected to neglect, abuse, and, in the worst cases, death," said Jan Eastgate, President of CCHR International. "This is not treatment—it is inhumane. We urge families whose children have suffered harm to contact us and seek justice."
Review Highlights Cases of Fatal Neglect
The Law Review cites multiple cases of severe abuse, including the tragic death of a 15-year-old boy who perished at a wilderness therapy camp. Despite his known medical vulnerabilities, he was forced to endure extreme physical hardship and received no medical care as his health deteriorated. He was ultimately found dead in his sleeping bag after days of suffering. His final words in a letter home: "P.S. I want my mommy."
Despite documented deaths in at least 28 states, a federal study confirming systemic abuse, and repeated warnings from advocacy organizations, the troubled teen industry remains largely unregulated. The Law Review urges parents to pursue civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, invoking the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment.[2]
More on illi News
Eighth Amendment Protections means State actors who exhibit "deliberate indifference" to a child's suffering may be held accountable.
Growing Calls for Reform
Reports from Safer America Consumer Safety Information indicate that many wilderness therapy programs portray themselves as therapeutic and life-changing. However, the 2024 death of a 12-year-old boy from New York at the now-closed Trails Carolina in North Carolina has reignited public outcry against the multi-billion-dollar camp industry.[3]
Studies have found no evidence that wilderness therapy camps effectively rehabilitate troubled youth. Journalist Maia Szalavitz, in her investigative book Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids, stated that the methods used in these programs would violate the Geneva Convention if applied to prisoners of war.[4]
In May 2023, Montana introduced protections increasing oversight of private adolescent residential programs, requiring frequent onsite inspections by the Department of Public Health and Human Services.[5] However, further action is needed.
In January 2025, Kody Kinsley, North Carolina's outgoing Secretary of Health and Human Services, called for a ban on wilderness therapy camps. "I don't think wilderness therapy camps have a place in our continuum of care in North Carolina. The law needs to be changed to permanently remove these licenses, so they don't exist," Kinsley stated.[6] The state has yet to act on this recommendation, underscoring the need for a national ban.
Call to Action: Protect Children's Rights
If your child has suffered abuse in a wilderness camp, behavioral program, or residential treatment facility, legal avenues are available to hold those responsible accountable. Constitutional law provides a critical pathway for justice, ensuring that no more children endure suffering under the guise of rehabilitation and "tough love."
More on illi News
Report abuse here.
Sources:
[1] Elle Johnson, "Torture in the Troubled Teen Industry: Death by Deliberate Indifference," University of Baltimore Law Review, 11 Mar. 2025, ubaltlawreview.com/2025/03/11/torture-in-the-troubled-teen-industry-death-by-deliberate-indifference/
[2] Elle Johnson, "Torture in the Troubled Teen Industry: Death by Deliberate Indifference," University of Baltimore Law Review, 11 Mar. 2025, ubaltlawreview.com/2025/03/11/torture-in-the-troubled-teen-industry-death-by-deliberate-indifference/
[3] "12 Teens Who Died at Wilderness Camps," Safer America Consumer Safety Information, 7 June 2024, safer-america.com/12-teens-who-died-at-wilderness-camps/; "Top regulator calls for ban on wilderness camps in North Carolina 2 children died in 1 decade at North Carolina camp," WBTV 3 News, 14 Jan 2025, www.wbtv.com/2025/01/14/top-regulator-calls-ban-wilderness-camps-north-carolina/
[4] Sam Myers, "Survivors of wilderness therapy camps describe trauma, efforts to end abuses: Programs for 'troubled teens' have history of deceptive marketing, risky practices," Arkansas Advocate, 7 Aug. 2023, arkansasadvocate.com/2023/08/07/dark-forest-a-look-inside-controversial-wilderness-therapy-camps/
[5] Sam Myers, "Survivors of wilderness therapy camps describe trauma, efforts to end abuses: Programs for 'troubled teens' have history of deceptive marketing, risky practices," Arkansas Advocate, 7 Aug. 2023, arkansasadvocate.com/2023/08/07/dark-forest-a-look-inside-controversial-wilderness-therapy-camps/; fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/mt/2023/bills/MTB00011863/
[6] www.cchrint.org/2025/01/31/nc-health-official-urges-ban-on-wilderness-therapy-camps/ citing "Top regulator calls for ban on wilderness camps in North Carolina 2 children died in 1 decade at North Carolina camp," WBTV 3 News, 14 Jan 2025, www.wbtv.com/2025/01/14/top-regulator-calls-ban-wilderness-camps-north-carolina/
"We have spent decades exposing the harsh reality of these programs, where children are subjected to neglect, abuse, and, in the worst cases, death," said Jan Eastgate, President of CCHR International. "This is not treatment—it is inhumane. We urge families whose children have suffered harm to contact us and seek justice."
Review Highlights Cases of Fatal Neglect
The Law Review cites multiple cases of severe abuse, including the tragic death of a 15-year-old boy who perished at a wilderness therapy camp. Despite his known medical vulnerabilities, he was forced to endure extreme physical hardship and received no medical care as his health deteriorated. He was ultimately found dead in his sleeping bag after days of suffering. His final words in a letter home: "P.S. I want my mommy."
Despite documented deaths in at least 28 states, a federal study confirming systemic abuse, and repeated warnings from advocacy organizations, the troubled teen industry remains largely unregulated. The Law Review urges parents to pursue civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, invoking the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment.[2]
More on illi News
- Mentor Agile Empowers Illinois Residents with Free Access To Product Management Training
- Midwest Pond Features & Landscapes Hits 100 Cleanouts This Spring, Expands Services Across Chicago
- Aureli Construction Sets the Standard for Seamless Home Additions in Greater Boston
- ScreenPoints Puts Film Investors in the Credits—and in the Money With New FinTech Platform
- Beyond Finance Wins Gold Stevie® Award for Customer Service Department of the Year in 23rd Annual American Business Awards
Eighth Amendment Protections means State actors who exhibit "deliberate indifference" to a child's suffering may be held accountable.
Growing Calls for Reform
Reports from Safer America Consumer Safety Information indicate that many wilderness therapy programs portray themselves as therapeutic and life-changing. However, the 2024 death of a 12-year-old boy from New York at the now-closed Trails Carolina in North Carolina has reignited public outcry against the multi-billion-dollar camp industry.[3]
Studies have found no evidence that wilderness therapy camps effectively rehabilitate troubled youth. Journalist Maia Szalavitz, in her investigative book Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids, stated that the methods used in these programs would violate the Geneva Convention if applied to prisoners of war.[4]
In May 2023, Montana introduced protections increasing oversight of private adolescent residential programs, requiring frequent onsite inspections by the Department of Public Health and Human Services.[5] However, further action is needed.
In January 2025, Kody Kinsley, North Carolina's outgoing Secretary of Health and Human Services, called for a ban on wilderness therapy camps. "I don't think wilderness therapy camps have a place in our continuum of care in North Carolina. The law needs to be changed to permanently remove these licenses, so they don't exist," Kinsley stated.[6] The state has yet to act on this recommendation, underscoring the need for a national ban.
Call to Action: Protect Children's Rights
If your child has suffered abuse in a wilderness camp, behavioral program, or residential treatment facility, legal avenues are available to hold those responsible accountable. Constitutional law provides a critical pathway for justice, ensuring that no more children endure suffering under the guise of rehabilitation and "tough love."
More on illi News
- Pathways to Adulthood Conference May 17 at Melville Marriott Honoring NYS Assembly Member Jodi Giglio, Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa
- Adster Techologies awarded US Patent for breakthrough innovation in reducing latency in Ad Serving
- Mai Coffee Unveils First - Ever Vietnamese Coffee Pouches, Bringing "Viet Super Coffee" To The World
- Chris The Wiz Releases RAIN EP – A Cyberpunk Dreamscape in 4 Tracks
- Penetrium™ Breaks Oncology Barriers: The Solution to Cold Tumors and Metastatic Cancer Unveiled at AACR 2025
Report abuse here.
Sources:
[1] Elle Johnson, "Torture in the Troubled Teen Industry: Death by Deliberate Indifference," University of Baltimore Law Review, 11 Mar. 2025, ubaltlawreview.com/2025/03/11/torture-in-the-troubled-teen-industry-death-by-deliberate-indifference/
[2] Elle Johnson, "Torture in the Troubled Teen Industry: Death by Deliberate Indifference," University of Baltimore Law Review, 11 Mar. 2025, ubaltlawreview.com/2025/03/11/torture-in-the-troubled-teen-industry-death-by-deliberate-indifference/
[3] "12 Teens Who Died at Wilderness Camps," Safer America Consumer Safety Information, 7 June 2024, safer-america.com/12-teens-who-died-at-wilderness-camps/; "Top regulator calls for ban on wilderness camps in North Carolina 2 children died in 1 decade at North Carolina camp," WBTV 3 News, 14 Jan 2025, www.wbtv.com/2025/01/14/top-regulator-calls-ban-wilderness-camps-north-carolina/
[4] Sam Myers, "Survivors of wilderness therapy camps describe trauma, efforts to end abuses: Programs for 'troubled teens' have history of deceptive marketing, risky practices," Arkansas Advocate, 7 Aug. 2023, arkansasadvocate.com/2023/08/07/dark-forest-a-look-inside-controversial-wilderness-therapy-camps/
[5] Sam Myers, "Survivors of wilderness therapy camps describe trauma, efforts to end abuses: Programs for 'troubled teens' have history of deceptive marketing, risky practices," Arkansas Advocate, 7 Aug. 2023, arkansasadvocate.com/2023/08/07/dark-forest-a-look-inside-controversial-wilderness-therapy-camps/; fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/mt/2023/bills/MTB00011863/
[6] www.cchrint.org/2025/01/31/nc-health-official-urges-ban-on-wilderness-therapy-camps/ citing "Top regulator calls for ban on wilderness camps in North Carolina 2 children died in 1 decade at North Carolina camp," WBTV 3 News, 14 Jan 2025, www.wbtv.com/2025/01/14/top-regulator-calls-ban-wilderness-camps-north-carolina/
Source: Citizens Commission on Human Rights International
Filed Under: Government
0 Comments
Latest on illi News
- The Tide Project Opens at Biennale Architettura 2025 in Venice Amplifying Youth Voices
- Wall Street analysts say BTC.XRP.DOGE cloud mining company SIX MINING is expected to achieve a 5-fold increase, allowing users to easily mine BTC
- Gen X Takes The Reins: New Book Guides Caregivers Juggling Parents, Kids, And Grandkids With Humor And Heart
- Naperville Welcomes Top Global Leaders Through Americas Competitiveness Exchange Visit
- Fray Fitness Launches Memorial Day Sale and Veteran Organization Giveaway
- ABM for Good™ Launches First Project with Build Change
- Local Nonprofit Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration's Attack on AmeriCorps
- Pregis Honors Partners Driving Measurable Impact with Annual Pregis Purpose Awards
- ImagineX, in Collaboration with Qualys, Launches New mROC Services to Transform Enterprise Cyber Risk Management
- Ditch Micromanagement: New Leadership Book for Results-Driven, Accountability-Based Teams
- Jay Tapp was named Managing Director in British Columbia
- Hubei Heavy Equipment Makes a Striking Appearance at CIMT and Competes with International Brands
- 20 Patents Issued Worldwide, Cementing Company Leadership. First Ever Cable-Free 12-Lead ECG: HeartBeam, Inc. (Stock Symbol: BEAT)
- NASDAQ Uplisting for Higher Market Exposure and Wide Corporate Benefits to AI Boosted Marketing Company On Track Towards $1 Billion Revenue by 2027
- AAR announces investor conference schedule for May and June 2025
- Congressional Men's Health Caucus Shows Bipartisan Consensus and Focus on Prevention, Mental Health, and Closing the Lifespan Gap
- The Alternative AI Architecture That Creates Certainty and Trust - No More Guesses.
- DuoKey, Axiomtek and Blue Edge Network Partner to Enhance Smart Cities with Privacy-Preserving Urban Safeguarding and Fleet Management
- Naperville Police to Participate in Regional Route 59 Traffic Safety Initiative
- Women of Color Take the Stage at Fearless Summit to Scale, Heal, and Get Paid