I attended Provo Canyon ‘School’ in 2007-2008 from ages 15 to 16. I was assigned #428 and called only by my last name by staff the entire time I was there. I was tormented and humiliated on a regular basis, and often neglected.
The staff members were mostly young Mormons that were not properly trained or screened. The requirements to work there were simply to be over 21 years of age, and to have a high school diploma or GED. At one point, a staff member had genuinely convinced me that my family did not love me and that I was never going home.
I was over-medicated and even improperly medicated, but I was not allowed to have a say in the matter. Not only was I manipulated, but my family was as well. My parents were under the impression that I was safe and being well taken care of. I did not breathe fresh air for 3 months. No reason behind it, staff just did not take me outside for 3 months; leaving me extremely pale and unhealthy looking.
Any time I tried to mention any of the abuse I had experienced or witnessed, over the phone to my parents during family therapy, my therapist would immediately hang up the phone. When she would call my parents back, she would convince them that I was just trying to manipulate them to take me home. This is not a part of my life I have ever wanted to look back on and remember, but things need to change. This type of treatment has been happening for over 30 years at Provo Canyon School, and it needs to stop now. #breakingcodesilence