o     “My therapist stood behind me and whispered things about my rape, while playing the song I was raped to, for 4 consecutive groups sessions…”

o     “They would put people ‘off talk’ where they wouldn't be able to talk at all to anyone. One girl was ‘off talk’ for 3 months.”

o      “Physical activity was endless…it was meant to break us…”

o     “When strangers come into your home in the middle of the night to take you away from your family no matter what the situation it is an awful, awful experience.”

The Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth (CAFETY) is a volunteer, youth-driven effort in support of the protection of the human rights of institutionalized youth experiencing behavioral, emotional and mental health challenges.

Our primary focus at this time is to increase awareness of inadequately regulated or monitored facilities using harmful, punitive, or aversive practices and to increase accountability through organized support for substantive policy change and legislation that affirms the human rights of youth and of those with disabilities to exist free from abuse and maltreament and retain the right to appropriate, ethical care.   These facilities are often known as behavior modification programs, character building schools, wilderness programs, boot camps, therapeutic boarding schools, or non-traditional experiential programs.

We have begun by spearheading our 'Care, not Coercion' Campaign, in support of federal and state legislation through engagement in public education efforts, outreach, grassroots advocacy and organizing, and alliance-building.

* Please visit our 'Take Action ' section for more on what YOU can do.  If you'd like to volunteer in your local area, please contact us!  We can also be found on my space and facebook .

* If you're a parent looking for a residential treatment program for your child please consider following these recommendations.