*** New York Press Conference (Highlights)
*** Statement: Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing
*** Statement: The Van Blarigan family, in support of David (16)
*** ASFAR: Internet-based network of teens
*** TEEN Bill of Rights
*** Subscribe – Join TeenAid
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Press Conference (Highlights)
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On June 19th, 1998, Alexia Parks, director of TeenAid, and author of An
American GULAG, marked the site of a teen abduction and distributed a
press release outside Marymount Manhattan College, 221 E. 71st Street,
in New York City. Ms Parks then talked with a representative from the
President’s office. While the college administration denied that a teen
had been dragged screaming from the school – London Times reporter
Daniel Jeffreys confirmed that she was intercepted outside the FRONT of
the building as she began walking away from the building toward Third
Avenue. She was dragged to a waiting Suburban.
Although the representative from Marymount was firm in denying the teen
was dragged from the school – and in a literal sense she was correct –
she fell silent when the name of the behavior modification facility, The Family, was mentioned.
The latest edition of An American GULAG contains documented evidence of
serious abuse at The Family, near Hancock, New York, Alleged abuse, as
recounted by survivors, includes teens being told they are INSANE and
will always be insane. In time they come to accept this as true. This
acknowledgment is part of the 12-step process that all students are
required to take. In addition, those students deemed to be "out of
control" may be wrapped in a blanket which is then wrapped with duct
tape. These living "mummies" may be left for hours or as long as a day
that way, says one former student. There is no release for food, water, or to go to the bathroom.
Marymount Manhattan College and the parents of this abducted teen may be
unaware of the abuse that goes on at The Family.
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Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing
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A letter from a group of subspeciality nurses dedicated to research,
education and advocacy for children was distributed at the press
conference. Although the original letter was written in reaction to the
abduction of David Van Blarigan from his home in Oakland, CA, it was
offered in support of the teen abducted from outside Marymount. jThe
following is an excerpt from that letter.
[Abuses at parent-funded behavior modification facilities] are
disturbingly reminiscent of the kinds of abuses associated with the
outrageous events that transpired in investor-owned psychiatric settings
during the 1980s. Equally disturbing [is] the description of the program
in which children are "consequenced" -- a much overused euphemism that
can cover a multitude of punitive measures doled out at the whim of
staff members. …There is no question that some adolescents can be
exceedingly disruptive and sorely try their parents and communities. But
when concern and good intentions on the part of parents and caregivers
results in the kind of coercion that was described in this incident, we
should consider the point of such an "intervention" and its effect on
already disturbed children. There are many issues that we can raise with
respect to this situation. For example, the potential psychological
sequelae of this kind of situation, the shattering of trust between
child and parent, the rights of children to be treated with the same
dignity as adults.
But we prefer to speak from the professional voice of experience.
Working with [these children] requires infinite patience and the
building of trust. Earning that trust is very difficult and when earned,
it is very fragile. Certainly trust cannot be achieved when a child is
abducted, when they have been lied to, and when punitive measures …are
employed by staff members and permitted by parents.
What research and practice in the field of child and adolescent
psychology, psychiatric nursing, and psychiatry has shown us, is that
corporal punishment, abuse and punitive treatment stops inappropriate
behavior temporarily, but does not teach healthier, more effective
problem solving.
As advocates for the most disenfranchised of our people, the members of
the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses strongly
oppose the use of these kinds of toxic interventions against already
vulnerable and wounded children. It is of great concern to us that an
American adolescent’s (a citizen of this country) constitutional rights
would be violated in the name of "treatment" and that the
"interventions" allegedly used are analogous to child abuse. We would
not treat a criminal this way -- why are we treating troubled children
this way? -- Group STATEMENT submitted by Wanda Mohr
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The Van Blarigan family, in support of David (16)
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What is a "disappeared child?" A "disappeared child" is a youth,
generally 13 to 16 years of age, sometimes a young girl, sometimes a
young boy, sometimes rebellious, sometimes unruly, sometimes
non-conforming, sometimes alcohol participating, sometimes drug
participating, sometimes misdemeanor participating and sometimes, just
sometimes, perhaps completely innocent, who is subjected to an
unforgettable, lifelong memory event of being rudely, shockingly,
appallingly, in a completely demeaning, humiliating manner removed,
against their will, from society, from their fiends, their relatives,
their pets under the appearance of parental love… and, valid contract,
for private "escort" to a "boarding school" which in reality are
American Gulags -- boarding schools from Hell where
--escape is next to impossible
--over-crowded conditions exist
--supervision is questionable
--nutrition is non-existent
--restraining devices and chemical compounds exist
--"isolation" areas are prevalent
--adverse climatic conditions abound
--medical treatment is, at best, antiquated
--huge U.S. Dollar profits are reaped!!!
The abductions take place substantially in the middle of the night,
although the recent "intervention" of a young teenage girl from
Marymount Manhattan College was a broad daylight event. The abductions
are performed by ‘strong-arms’ sometimes using mechanical restraints;
but, always pocketing a handsome profit!
My great-nephew, David Van Blarigan, 16 years of age, was abducted from
his home in Oakland, CA on November 19, 1997 -- seven long long months
ago. He was "escorted" to a Utah "sham" "holding" hospital, (now closed
down) and subsequently was and is confined at Treasure Beach,
Tranquility Bay, Jamaica, all under the guise of Parental love!
I, for one, question Sue and Jim Van Blarigan’s "parental love, and the
Fundamentalist beliefs they hid behind. Nevertheless, on behalf of
myself and Aunt Jean, on behalf of Grandmother Phyllis and Grandfather
Hiram Van Plarigan, on behalf of Aunt Peggy and Uncle Paul Van Blarigan,
on behalf of Aunt Tracy and Cousins, we appeal to you, Sue and Jim Van
Blarigan, as David’s loving parents, David has suffered more than long
enough. Please bring him home NOW!
Finally, I wish to thank TeenAid for giving me this opportunity to
express my deepest feelings about David’s travesty! -- STATEMENT of
Herbert Seiffert, great-uncle of David Van Blarigan, a "disappeared"
child. (908) 369-4151.
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ASFAR: Internet-based network of teens
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It is the utmost injustice whenever a human being is considered to be
the mere property of another This can be referred to by various terms,
such as tyranny and slavery. Unfortunately, this type of injustice is
still alive and well in the United States today. Parents who believe
that their children are theirs to do with as they please, without regard
to the rights and dignity of their children, are no better than
slavemasters. ASFAR condemns the imprisonment of any child or youth
against his or her will.
In a day and age when the United States and other supposedly "civilized"
nations pride themselves on their human rights records, it is time for
the injustices exhibited by gulag schools to end. ASFAR calls for a ban
on these pockets of tyranny within the United States, a law prohibiting
parents from transporting their children to gulag schools outside the
United States, as well as pressure on other countries to eliminate these
gulag schools within their own borders, and to return American children
sent there. The United States should really live up to her name as a
civil rights leader and eliminate the bane of gulag schools.
STATEMENT of ASFAR members. Submitted by Justin Mallone. Avi Hein,
president.
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Teen Bill of Rights
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If there were a Teen Bill of Rights, it might include some of the
following:
1. The Right of legal representation.
2. The Right to refuse mind-altering drugs.
3. The Right to be free of the fear of abduction.
4. The Right to refuse transfer to a lock-up facility without due
process.
5. The Right to free access to a telephone
6. The Right not to be isolated from their families
7. The Right for their families to be included in their treatment plans
and treatment.
8. The Right not to have their mail monitored or stopped.
9. The Right to be free from the fear of retribution, coercion and
punishment by staff for exercising their human rights.
10. The Right to have an adequate number of educated staff members who
have knowledge of child development issues as well as principles of
learning and behavior.
11. The Right to receive an explanation if restraint or seclusion is
found to be necessary and the Right to place a call to legal counsel and
an Advocacy agency.
12. The Right to medical attention upon request.
13. The Right to an education equal to or superior to minimum State
standards.
14. The Right to emancipation at age 16.
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SUBSCRIBE -- JOIN TEENAID
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SUBSCRIBE (free) by sending email to
Subject: TeenAid.
BUY the book ($25 plus $3 for shipping), or JOIN TeenAid ($25).
Membership in TeenAid includes a free copy of An American GULAG.
To pay by VISA or AMEX call (303) 444-1383. To pay by check, send to:
TeenAid, c/o Box K, Eldorado Springs, CO 80025.
Alexia Parks, author of An American GULAG, is executive director of
TeenAid.
*******
Teen-Justice promotes the reform of "behavior modification" facilities
and schools that abuse the civil and human rights of teens. This
newsletter links experts, the media, and interested members of the
public who are interested in this issue. Please forward it to your list or post in relevant newsgroups.