Unsilenced Launches Mobile App to Support Survivors of 'Troubled Teen Industry'

Unsilenced, a leading nonprofit organization focused on supporting survivors and reforming the controversial 'Troubled Teen Industry' (TTI), has launched a new mobile application called Unsilenced Impact. The app, now available for both Apple and Android devices, aims to provide survivors and allies with immediate access to crucial resources and support networks.

The TTI, a largely unregulated multi-billion-dollar industry, encompasses thousands of programs and facilities that claim to reform and rehabilitate troubled youth. However, the industry has faced severe criticism and allegations of abuse, neglect, and psychological harm. According to Unsilenced, an estimated 120,000 to 200,000 children and teens are sent annually to various TTI programs across the United States and abroad.

Meg Appelgate, CEO of Unsilenced and herself a survivor of two TTI facilities, describes the new app as "a powerful digital resource for healing, education, reform, and involvement for both allies and those who have suffered at the hands of this industry." Appelgate, who endured severe brainwashing and abuse during her time in TTI facilities as a teenager, sees the app as a crucial step in empowering self-advocates and enabling lasting social change.

The Unsilenced Impact app offers a range of features designed to support survivors and promote reform. Users can access connections to expert help, justice resources, and support networks. The app also provides resources and training for professional development, opportunities for meaningful activism, and access to a supportive online community.

Recent media attention has brought increased scrutiny to the TTI, with documentaries such as HBO Max's "Teen Torture, Inc." and Paris Hilton's "I Am Paris" shedding light on the experiences of survivors. Appelgate's own book, "Becoming UNSILENCED: Surviving and Fighting the Troubled Teen Industry," set to release in April 2024, further details her harrowing experiences and advocates for urgent reform.

Founded in 2021, Unsilenced operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed by survivors and allies. The organization's mission extends beyond supporting survivors; it aims to protect the civil, social, and human rights of youth by promoting appropriate, healthy, and effective alternatives to the TTI. Through education, awareness, community support, and access to justice, Unsilenced works to improve health outcomes for children and youth struggling with mental health and educational challenges.

The launch of the Unsilenced Impact app represents a significant step in the organization's efforts to combat institutional child abuse within the TTI. By providing easily accessible resources and fostering a supportive community, the app has the potential to empower survivors, educate the public, and contribute to meaningful reform in an industry that has long operated with limited oversight.

As awareness of the issues surrounding the TTI continues to grow, tools like the Unsilenced Impact app may play a crucial role in supporting survivors and driving systemic change. The app's release underscores the ongoing need for reform and highlights the power of technology in connecting and empowering communities affected by institutional abuse.