Industry Overview - The troubled teen industry is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States, encompassing facilities like wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, and residential treatment centers [3] - These programs target vulnerable families, promising to fix various issues, from neurological disorders to sexuality, for a monthly cost ranging from $55 to $30,000 [4] Abusive Practices - Victims are often taken in the middle of the night and transported across state lines [8] - Programs involve strip searches, forced hikes to exhaustion, and isolation in remote locations [8][9][10] - Basic necessities like talking or letter privileges are earned through a point system, often involving "snitching" on other victims [11][14] - Victims face sedation, starvation, or solitary confinement for perceived misbehavior [15] Consequences and Marginalization - Abuse can lead to death, including instances of restraint-related fatalities and suicides [17][18] - Marginalized groups, such as children in foster care, children with disabilities, and people of color, are disproportionately affected [18] Advocacy and Support - Organizations like Unsilenced and Breaking Code Silence are dedicated to supporting victims [18][19] - Raising awareness about the troubled teen industry is crucial to empowering survivors and preventing further harm [19]