Survivors will share their experiences of abuse and neglect in congregate care settings
LADERA RANCH, Calif., May 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Unsilenced, a national nonprofit focused on fighting child abuse, will join Paris Hilton at a press conference on the National Mall in washington d.c. Wednesday to advocate for federal legislation to end institutional child abuse.
The Troubled Teen Industry is a network of mostly unregulated abusive congregate care facilities for young people who use “tough love” and other non-evidence-based therapeutic, schooling, and shelter services. Over 200 survivors and child protection advocates will join Unsilenced and Paris Hilton in washington d.c. to share their stories, educate lawmakers for broad bipartisan support for the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (SICAA). Throughout the week there are a variety of events and activities aimed at raising awareness of the experiences at these facilities and the goals of SICAA.
“For decades, children in institutions have been denied basic human rights protections against abuse, neglect and preventable death.,” mentioned Paris Hilton. “Survivors are ready to tell Congress that it’s time for leadership, action, and it’s time to FINALLY protect children placed in the troubled teen industry.”
Details of the press conference in washington d.c. on May 11, 2022
Not silent, Paris Hilton as well as members of the United States House and Senate will come together to hold a press conference on the impact of abusive congregate care facilities on the lives of survivors and their families. Attendees will hear from Paris, family members of young people who have died at the hands of this industry, survivors and state lawmakers. The group also organizes a solitary confinement facility to provide the public with a visual representation of the conditions children are often subjected to in these facilities to raise awareness with the aim of lobbying lawmakers to help develop SICAA.
OR:
National Mall, Third Street, SW (between Madison Drive and Jefferson Drive) washington d.c.
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 to 10:30 a.m. ET
SPEAKERS:
- Paris Hiltonvictim of institutional violence
- Caroline ColeInstitutional Violence Survivor and Co-CEO, Unsilenced
- State Senator mike mckell (R-Spanish fork), sponsor of the Industry Reform Bill passed in Utah
- State Senator Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), sponsor of industry reform bills passed in Oregon
- Jaide Horan18-year-old survivor of physical abuse at Provo Canyon School
- Renee Hananiamother of Branden Petro (victim of medical negligence and abuse)
- Nehemiah Wood, brother of Noemie Wood (died of medical negligence)
- Alain DacherFormer Foster Youth, Survivor and Executive Director, LA County Youth Commission
- Julia Arroyoformer foster youth, incarcerated youth, and current executive director of the Young Women’s Freedom Center
“We have the opportunity to create change in an industry that has been riddled with abuse, disguised as treatment, for decades. It is time to raise the bar of expectations for regulation and transparency in these establishments to ensure the physical and psychological safety of young people.” mentioned Meg AppelgateCo-CEO, Unsilence.
“Young people in our country should never face permanent trauma or death as a result of treatment. We must act now to put in place protections and prevent more young people from experiencing life-altering trauma.” mentioned Caroline ColeCo-CEO, Unsilence.
For more information on Unsilence, please visit Unsilence website (www.unsilenced.org) and find us on LinkedInTwitter (@weareunsilenced) and Instagram (@weareunsilenced)
Contact:
Jennifer RisiThe swaying effect
Phone: 917-887-8865
E-mail: [email protected]
SOURCE Not silent
