#TTICHILD: REFORMING THE TROUBLED TEEN INDUSTRY
In The Name Of Therapy:
A Comprehensive Look at the Troubled Teen Industry and a Case for Reformation
Having Spent 10 Months in a Wilderness Therapeutic Boarding School When He Was 17, Daniel Poyerd is in a unique position to speak on the abusive tactics and deceptive business practices that plague the Troubled Teen Industry. In this full length examination, he explores the history of the industry and its current practices, reveals his own experience, analyzes internal documents from the Discovery School of Virginia, looks at the potential psychological and social impact of the industry, and presents a compelling case for federal oversight and reform. At the core of his case, which he describes as one of the "most consequential human rights issues in the United States", is the protection of the 100,000+ kids currently in the industry and the future millions that will be sent against their will to suffer In The Name Of Therapy.
#TTICHILD : Survivor-led research, storytelling, and advocacy, focused on combatting the abuse occurring in America's youth treatment programs and providing kids in the TTI with Federal protection.
About Daniel
Daniel Poyerd is an author, public speaker, singer, songwriter, producer, and advocate for youth trapped in the Troubled Teen Industry. Having spent 10 months in a particularly abusive wilderness boarding school when he was 17, Daniel is in a prime position to speak out against the human rights violations rampant in the industry. With the release of his first book, In The Name of Therapy: A Comprehensive Look at the Troubled Teen Industry and a Case for Reformation, Daniel is seeking to provoke long needed Federal regulation of such an influential industry following the recent passing of the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (SICAA).
The Focus of the Movement
Vision Statement
#TTICHILD
We envision a future where the Troubled Teen Industry is reformed, federal protections ensure the safety and dignity of all youth in treatment, and accountability is the standard rather than the exception.
Mission Statement
#TTICHILD
#TTICHILD is a survivor-led movement demanding justice, accountability, and federal protections for youth subjected to abuse within the Troubled Teen Industry. Our mission is to dismantle systemic harm through advocacy, storytelling, and legislative reform.
The Proposed Bill of Rights
The following practices, when used in residential treatment facilities for minors, are hereby designated as violations of human rights:
#TTICHILD
I. Solitary Confinement
The use of solitary confinement as punishment for minors lasting beyond two hours, unless approved by a licensed mental health professional (and then for no more than 24 hours).
II. Forced Labor
The use of forced labor (not including minimally laborious chores lasting less than two hours per day) in the “treatment” of children.
III. Attack Therapy
The use of attack therapy, defined as a type of psychotherapy that involves highly confrontational interactions between patients and a therapist or other patients in a group setting.
IV. Corporal Punishment
The use of corporal punishment, defined as discipline that involves intentionally causing physical pain or discomfort to someone in response to their behavior.
V. Psychological Abuse
The use of any form of emotional or psychological abuse including, but not limited to, screaming, spitting, mocking, sexual harassment, trauma reenacting, berating, knowingly making false accusations or threats, aversion therapy, personal humiliation, forcing religious beliefs or using hate speech relating to a protected class.
VI. Medication
The prescription of new medication or the increase in dosage of pre-prescribed medication for minors without approval of an independent medical professional and the written consent of their parent or guardian.
VII. Identity Stripping
The implementation of any practice that is intended to strip children of their personal identity or dignity, including, but not limited to, food or sleep deprivation, head shaving, unreasonable restriction on clothing, public shaming, forced isolation from other members of the treatment program or strip searches conducted by members of the opposite sex.
VIII. Censorship
The censorship of communication between a minor and their parent or guardian, the censorship of outgoing or incoming mail (beyond reasonable and documented safety concerns), or the restriction of communication between a minor and a non-affiliated advocate.
IX. Education
The treatment of education as a privilege that must be earned through work or behavior, as well as the punitive limiting of schooling hours or the withholding of graduation opportunities, for whatever reason.
X. Abuse Reporting
The lack of timely and appropriate reporting of claims of sexual, psychological or physical abuse of a minor by a fellow minor or a staff member to law enforcement.
XI. Restraints
The use of physical or chemical restraints for any reason beyond protection of a child or staff from harm that subsides immediately upon deescalation, as well as the lack of appropriate documentation and timely reporting of restraints to the child’s parent or guardian.
XII. Deviation
Any deviation from contractually agreed-upon methods that results in a human rights violation, as defined in this Bill, shall also be treated as a deceptive business practice.