Why We Support Unsilenced and the Movement for Troubled Teen Industry Accountability
For many survivors of abuse within the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), understanding what happened to them is often a long and difficult journey.
Many young people entered therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, behavior modification programs, and other youth facilities believing they were receiving help. Years later, many continue to struggle with the emotional, psychological, and physical effects of experiences that occurred behind closed doors.
At McGonagle Johnson, we have had the privilege of speaking with survivors and families from across the country. While every story is different, a common theme emerges: many survivors spend years believing they are alone.
That is one reason organizations like Unsilenced are so important.
The Importance of Survivor-Led Advocacy
Unsilenced is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about abuse, neglect, and misconduct within the Troubled Teen Industry. Through survivor stories, educational resources, facility information, and advocacy efforts, Unsilenced has become an important source of information for former residents, families, journalists, policymakers, and researchers.
For many survivors, discovering organizations like Unsilenced can be a turning point. It can provide validation, community, and access to information that may have been unavailable when they first began processing their experiences.
Public awareness plays a critical role in accountability. When survivors are able to share their stories and access reliable information, institutions face greater pressure to improve transparency and protect future generations.
Our Commitment to Survivors
McGonagle Johnson represents survivors in cases involving institutional abuse, youth-serving organizations, residential treatment facilities, therapeutic boarding schools, religious institutions, foster care systems, and other organizations entrusted with the care of vulnerable individuals.
We recognize that many survivors are contacting an attorney for the first time. In many cases, they are sharing deeply personal experiences that they may never have discussed publicly before.
Our role is not only to investigate legal claims and pursue accountability, but also to listen with respect and help survivors understand their options.
No two cases are the same. No two healing journeys are the same.
What remains consistent is our commitment to treating every client with dignity and compassion throughout the legal process.
Proud to Support Unsilenced
We are proud to announce that McGonagle Johnson has joined Unsilenced as a Platinum Attorney partner.
We view this partnership as an extension of our broader commitment to supporting survivors and advancing accountability within the Troubled Teen Industry and other institutional settings.
While legal representation is only one part of the larger effort to protect vulnerable youth, we believe meaningful change happens when survivors, advocates, journalists, policymakers, and attorneys work together to bring attention to systemic failures and demand better outcomes.
We are grateful for the work Unsilenced continues to do and look forward to supporting its mission.
Contact McGonagle Johnson
If you experienced abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in a therapeutic boarding school, residential treatment center, wilderness program, foster care setting, religious institution, or other youth-serving organization, our team is available to listen.
You do not need to know whether you have a case before reaching out. We are happy to answer questions, explain your options, and help you determine the next steps that are right for you.
