A Campaign to protect youth
Advocacy through Direct Action
The Problem
Currently, at-risk youth are being
abused, neglected and exploited in
residential facilities that lack
the state and federal oversight
necessary to protect them from institutional abuse.
Learn more about the
problem + solutions.
WWT CAMPAIGN
The We Warned Them Campaign
is a progressive grassroots
movement that's calling on local,
state, and federal officials to take immediate action to end the
"troubled" teen industry's (TTI)
habitual malpractices and
unsafe treatment on at-risk
youth in residential care.
Activate
Use your voice and platform to
advocate for at-risk youth!
Contact your elected officials,
network with your community,
organize events, create your own campaign or calls to action. View our interactive toolkit to get started: Your voice matters in this fight to end institutional abuse!
Historical Abuse & Neglect of At-Risk Youth
On April 20, 2005, Congressman George Miller Introduced HR 1738 — “End Institutional Abuse Against Children Act” — into the United States House of Representatives, in response to the deaths and maltreatment of at-risk youth in residential care. It was never enacted.
In 2008, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a report and presented findings in a congressional hearing of the abusive practices of the TTI. The GAO found that youth in residential treatment facilities experienced maltreatment including but not limited to: Physical abuse, sexual assualt, neglect (+medical neglect) and civil/human rights violations.
Due to lack of media attention and public outcry congress has failed to implement the critical oversight necessary to protect youth from institutional abuse. The We Warned Them Campaign aims to change this through collective efforts with you and our community partners.
GAO Congressional Hearings of 2007-2008
“Youth in some government and private residential facilities have experienced maltreatment including physical abuse, neglect or deprivation of necessities and sexual abuse that sometimes resulted in death or hospitalization, but data limitations hinder efforts in to quantify the problem. Survey respondents from 28 states reported at least 1 death in a residential facility in 2006, often in accidents or suicides that, in some cases, may have been attributed to a lack of supervision or neglect by staff. NACANDS data shows that 34 states reported 1,503 incidents of youth abuse and neglect by facility staff in 2005, but it is underreported. Many State agencies we surveyed reported having information gaps, in part due to barriers in collecting facility specific information on and maltreatment for all or some facilities
Jon martin-Crawford
Survivor & Advocate
“The truth is Nightmares & Psychological scars of being dragged from your home to a place in the middle of nowhere, restrained in blankets & duct tape, assaulted: verbally & physically – those scars and that trauma never go away. To my friends who have since died from suicide because of the nightmares or those who still suffer the nightmare: Our Time & Our Voice will not be in Vain. There comes a time for every man to make amends and right their wrongs.”
Greg kutz
gao managing director
“Last year I testified that negligent practices contributed to the death & abuse of troubled youth. Todays testimony responds to your (Congressman George Millers) request that we continue our work. My testimony has two parts: First, I will discuss cases of death & abuse. Second, I will discuss industry marketing practices.”
George Miller
member of congress
“Untrained/uncaring staff, reckless management, irresponsible operating practices, permitted these horrible tragedies to occur. Sadly the deaths of Erica, Aaron & Ryan are not isolated cases. The Government Accountability’s office found thousands of cases of abuse & neglect in private residential homes for teens from 1990 to 2007.”
