Unsilenced, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), has launched its new Unsilenced Impact app. The app is now available for both Apple and Android users and aims to empower survivors and allies through mobile access to a range of valuable resources.
The Unsilenced Impact app serves as a comprehensive digital tool that offers instant access to expert help, justice, and support. It provides resources and training for professional development, opportunities for meaningful activism, and a supportive online community. According to Meg Appelgate, CEO of Unsilenced and a survivor of two TTI facilities, the app represents a significant step in their mission to equip the community, empower self-advocates, and enable lasting social change.
The TTI encompasses thousands of programs, facilities, and centers that claim to offer reform, therapy, and rehabilitation for troubled youth. However, these institutions often deliver abuse, neglect, and psychological harm instead. The industry remains largely unregulated and is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Annually, between 120,000 and 200,000 children and teens are sent to TTI boot camps, teen ranches, wilderness therapy programs, therapeutic boarding schools, and residential treatment centers across the United States and abroad.
In recent years, thousands of survivors have come forward to share their stories of abuse and negligence within the TTI. High-profile documentaries like HBO Max's 'Teen Torture, Inc.' and Paris Hilton's 'I Am Paris' have brought significant attention to these issues. Meg Appelgate's book, 'Becoming UNSILENCED: Surviving and Fighting the Troubled Teen Industry', also delves into her experiences and the urgent need for systemic reform in this sector.
The Unsilenced Impact app aims to be a catalyst for change by providing a platform for healing, education, and activism. It empowers survivors to connect with expert help and justice, engage in professional development, and participate in meaningful activism. By offering a supportive and active online community, the app fosters a sense of belonging and resilience among users.
The release of the Unsilenced Impact app is a critical development in the ongoing battle against institutional child abuse within the TTI. It signifies a move towards greater awareness, support, and advocacy for the rights and well-being of troubled youth. As more survivors and allies utilize this app, it has the potential to drive significant social change and reform within the TTI, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for children and youth facing mental health and educational challenges.
