Former students at Utah troubled-teen centers say their reports of sex abuse were ignored
Tribune analysis identifies youth treatment centers with higher rates of reported sexual abuse.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cedar Ridge Academy has a new owner as of February and a new name as the Makana Leadership Academy, Dec. 16, 2020. Cedar Ridge had a history of reports of sexual abuse. | Updated: March 8, 2021, 11:52 p.m.
Roosevelt • Police had uncovered a pattern of abuse at Cedar Ridge Academy.
A staffer, one who had worked with kids daily for 10 years at the “troubled-teen” facility, had made sexually charged comments to the boys. He had groped some of them during unapproved medical procedures in a small room after covering the only window with butcher paper so no one could see. He gave kids medications they weren’t prescribed so often, a lawsuit later alleged, they called him “the candy man.”
“We have been working hard since June to navigate and synthesize the rapidly growing body of COVID-19 research and resources in relation to vulnerable children and families, some of who are involved with the child welfare system, in the Prairies and beyond,” says Dr. Lise Milne, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Work, who is partnering with CTRC director Dr. Nathalie Reid on the project. “We learned from the service providers themselves that, due to time constraints and work pressure, they have had difficulties accessing, sharing, evaluating, and applying knowledge of best practices,” says Dr. Reid. “The research team has created and populated the website with vetted, synthesized, and translated research and resources to help child-serving organizations across the Prairies mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of children, families, and workers.”
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University of Regina assistant professor Lise Milne with the Faculty of Social Work notes the strain of COVID-19 is a lot even for people working mainly from home.
For teachers, stresses often layer as they not only worry about their own health and that of their family but try to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the students in their charge.
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Milne and Nathalie Reid with the U of R-based Child Trauma Research Centre were already planning a website intended to compile the vast amount of research and best practices for those who work with children and youth. Then COVID-19 hit, and the need for the website became more obvious than ever.