“What Can I Do?”
The most common questions I get asked are “What can I do?” or “How do I stop a specific program?”
If you read around the internet, you'll get a lot of answers to this. Read everything you can! But here is my answer:
I am strongly of the belief that this is such a corrupt system, with its many connections into law enforcement, the judicial system, politics and celebrity alike, that meaningful reform is unlikely. It's also an unfortunate truth that the online advocacy community for this subject is particularly toxic and fraught with pitfalls which prevent effective advocacy. All of this considered— these are our current best tools:
★ Sharing information is our greatest weapon for change.
Informed people protect kids. Keeping as many kids in their communities and homes in the first place, and out of the TTI, will help shrink that industry over time. Helping families access community-based support will help. More on this coming soon.
Check out Shareable Content and References to pass along.
★ Report the abuse
…to law enforcement, DHS, CPS, and the Department of Licensing for the state where the program is located. Even if there is corruption there, you have to try. Sometimes it really does help. And even a small chance is worth trying for. Keep records of these reports, for if you need to take further steps to protect a child or hold the program accountable for abuse.
★ Create Consequences
Creating direct consequences by launching litigation when programs hurt kids is our best tool. Because of all the awareness raised over the last few years, many law firms now understand the abuses in this industry, and will help you litigate it. Whenever possible, I encourage people to fight directly in this way. Below are some links for law firms which specialize in TTI abuse cases:
★ Expose the truth
The truth about what's happening in these programs is the death of them. If you know of a program or have direct experience with a program or bad actor in the system— expose it. Find others who may share your experiences. Talk about it. Keep talking about it. Call and email reporters where the program is located. Predators need the cover of silence. Don't give them that.
But please keep in mind, speaking up is hard. It can be painful, complicated, and make you a target. Please only do so if you are prepared for that and have a support system.
Below are some groups working to protect children from instututional abuse:
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www.endseclusion.org
The mission of Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint is “to educate the public and connect people who are dedicated to changing minds, laws, policies, and practices so that restraint and seclusion are reduced and eliminated from schools across the nation (and beyond).”
With such heavy abuse and dangerous use of seclusion and restraint in the TTI, AASR is an important ally to the cause of ending institutional child abuse.
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www.thinkofus.org
Think of Us is “a research and design lab for the social sector, working to transform child welfare. Led and guided by people who have been directly impacted by this system, we are a trusted partner across the national child welfare field. We work with government agencies, lawmakers, providers, advocates, and foundations to drive novel, scalable solutions at the federal, state, and local levels”.
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I.C.A.R.S.
ICARS “champions the human rights of all children, globally. Every child deserves to feel safe in every environment. School is where they spend much of their time. Educational staff and faculty ought to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow without fear and without harm. The use of restraint and seclusion in schools, worldwide, is a danger and threat to all of our children. The parent, survivor and neurodivergent led, volunteer advocates of ICARS are focused upon securing and protecting the fundamental human rights of our youth, everywhere.”
