#OpLiberation

Are you familiar with the troubled teen industry or are you aware that institutionalized child abuse is still happening in America? It is. As recently as several weeks ago it took many resources and threats of exposure and legal action to finally get one place to release a ‘kid’ who was of legal age to leave of his own accord. What of those who are under age 18 in America and who are being violated and tortured? Who will see to it they are made safe when parental contact is so often not allowed?

Straightling is a harrowing memoir of one woman’s survival of Straight, Inc., an ‘alleged’ drug rehab for teenagers founded by Mel Sembler. Cyndy Drew Etler shares her story and we are grateful she had the courage to do it.

Stories of coercive thought reform, brainwashing, humiliation, medical neglect, instillation of fear all the way to sexual and physical abuse are not new stories to kids who have survived places like this where often there is often no medical staff, licensing, or credible oversight.

If you are a parent who has a troubled teenager or you know someone who is, be aware that often medical doctors, drug or alcohol counselors, and mental health professionals are the first line of reference for places like this - unaware with what’s really going on in them.

Reviews

You don’t so much read STRAIGHTLING as you watch, through a dark and hazy window, as a child’s soul is destroyed. A must-read for parents, teachers, counselors, and students. -Mercy Pilkington, 2010 National Juvenile Detention Association Teacher of the Year You won’t be able to put STRAIGHTLING down, and you sure as hell won’t root this hard for anyone, ever again. -Rosella LeFevre, Editor-in-Chief, M.L.T.S. Magazine In STRAIGHTLING, Etler honors the many of us who still can’t talk about it, and the many that were unable to survive. -Marcus Chatfield, Co-Producer, Surviving Straight Inc, the Documentary

As difficult as it may be for someone to believe Etler’s harrowing tale of survival in Straight, Inc., every word Etler wrote about Straight Inc.’s daily abuses is completely true. “Straightling” takes you on the darkest journey through hell where every freedom imaginable is stolen from a child by Straight, Inc.: freedom to move about a room unrestrained, gone; freedom to speak to whomever you chose, gone; freedom to use a bathroom alone, gone; freedom to choose one’s own friends, gone; freedom to dress as one wishes, gone; and worst of all, freedom to think for oneself gone; freedom to have one’s own identity, gone. “Straightling” illustrates the horror and pain of being systematically tore down until there is nothing left except a shell recreated in Straight Inc.’s image. “Straightling” sounds a loud warning of the dangers caused by not listening to a child, warns of the destruction caused by allowing broken children to have power over other broken children, and warns that a trail of human wreckage can be caused by zealots with seemingly good intentions. “Straightling” is a must read for all parents and for all professionals who work with “troubled teens.” Straight, Inc., under that name, is closed now, but other abusive private programs still exist to this day. Cyndy is a gifted writer and courageous woman. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Cyndy for writing such a powerful and moving memoir. - Christine Flannery 

since a few people asked, because of my last ask response, here you go,

yes, i really was sent to a Wilderness Therapy program for troubled teens when i was 12 years old.

(If you want to skip over this post on your dash press the J key)

“Controversial” Facebook status of the day:

If you’re going to “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day,” you are supporting the abduction, brainwashing, and abuse of LGBTQ* youth all over this country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ccKTEWlxc