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Associated Press
a day ago
- Health
- Associated Press
CCHR Demands Urgent Reform to Stop Child Abuse in Youth Behavioral Facilities
LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 9, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Amid a surge of reported abuse and deaths in psychiatric and behavioral residential programs for youth, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) is urging immediate and sweeping federal intervention. CCHR warns that continued inaction by state and federal agencies endangers lives and enables a mental health system where vulnerable children and adolescents are subjected to trauma, neglect, and avoidable harm. In December 2024, Congress passed the bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, calling for a study by the National Academies of Sciences into the state of youth in institutional programs. However, the legislation granted a three-year window to complete the investigation—a delay CCHR deems unconscionable now, given ongoing reports of harm. 'Children are dying. Others are being restrained, secluded, forcibly drugged, or sexually abused,' said Jan Eastgate, President of CCHR International. 'How many more cases of tragedy must occur before regulators respond with urgency? A three-year timeline is a death sentence for some of these children.' A 2024 peer-reviewed study in Psychiatric Services confirmed that the use of seclusion and mechanical restraints remains widespread in U.S. psychiatric hospitals, despite the documented trauma and risk of death. The study called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission to implement reforms to end the practice. A previous New York Times investigation estimated at least 86 deaths in youth behavioral programs from 2000 to 2015, noting that children in these institutions are often subjected to conditions that would be unlawful for prisoners—including isolation, and physical and chemical restraint.[1] In just the past few weeks, a string of new incidents has surfaced from across the U.S. involving youth facilities, including: Two girls, aged 12 and 13, died by suicide in May in a North Carolina behavioral treatment facility, forcing its closure.[2] Reports of hundreds of prolonged restraint incidents in a single California psychiatric facility within months.[3] A teenage boy was repeatedly sexually abused by staff at a New Mexico behavioral facility.[4] Seclusion and restraint of children as young as five; Vermont state authorities confirmed over 500 cases.[5] New legislation was passed in Maryland restricting the use of physical restraints during youth transport to psych facilities.[6] Although multiple federal investigations have led to substantial fines and civil settlements, CCHR asserts these penalties have failed to deter misconduct, patient harm, and deaths. 'Financial penalties are clearly not enough. Many of these settlements are treated as the cost of doing business,' Eastgate noted. CCHR also emphasizes that current tools used by government agencies—such as consent agreements or Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs)—do not work. These measures allow institutions with a history of serious violations to remain operational after promising internal improvements. 'Voluntary promises are violated again and again, and children suffer the consequences,' Eastgate said. 'These agreements create a dangerous illusion of accountability.' The organization is calling on Congress and the Administration to take such actions as: Accelerate the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act investigation. Withhold CMS and Medicaid funding from facilities with substantiated abuse records. Freeze new licenses or bed expansions for companies under investigation. Establish criminal penalties for executives and staff found complicit in systemic abuse. Prohibit the use of further Corporate Integrity or improvement agreements for known violators. In June 2024, a U.S. Senate Finance Committee report into several for-profit youth behavioral hospital chains described the harms children experienced resulted, in part, from financial models that prioritize revenue over safety. The Committee urged 'bold intervention' to prevent further tragedies. Prominent legal professionals agree. KBA attorney Kayla Ferrel Onder stated: 'More effective oversight systems need to be in place to protect patients. This includes stricter penalties for facilities found guilty of abuse or fraud. Jail time for executives and significantly larger financial penalties may be necessary to curb misconduct prevalent in the behavioral healthcare industry.'[7] Attorney Tommy James cites horrendous physical abuse and emotional trauma in behavioral residential facilities, stating, 'those responsible must be held accountable.'[8] Another attorney, Kayla Ferrel Onder said the abuse is so extensive that it reflected a 'systemic failure,' which needs to stop.[9] CCHR maintains an extensive record of documented youth abuse in psychiatric facilities, including seclusion, restraint, sexual assault, and forced drugging. 'Children should not be warehoused, abused, or silenced,' said Eastgate. 'What is happening now is a humanitarian crisis hiding in plain sight.' Quoting lawmakers who have supported the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, Rep. Ro Khanna stated: 'The industry has gone unchecked for too long.'[10] Senator Tommy Tuberville added: 'We need more sunlight… to stop the waste, fraud, and abuse in the system.' 'This is not a policy debate—it is a moral imperative,' Eastgate concluded. 'We are calling on legislators, prosecutors, and health agencies to act now. No more broken promises. No more promises of avoidable deaths. No more children forgotten in the system.' About CCHR : The government-acclaimed watchdog and award-winning advocacy group was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz. To learn more, visit: Sources: [1] Alexander Stockton, 'Can you punish a child's mental health problems away?' The New York Times , 11 Oct. 2022, [2] Jeffery Collins, 'Residential treatment school closes in North Carolina after deaths of 2 girls,' AP News , 3 June 2025, [3] 'California watchdog finds for-profit psychiatric hospital abused patients,' San Francisco Chronicle , 19 May 2025 [4] 'Suit alleges teen repeatedly abused by worker at former youth residential treatment center,' Santa Fe New Mexican, 29 May 2025, [5] 'Youth in Vermont custody have been physically restrained hundreds of times in recent years,' VT Digger , 22 May 2025, [6] [7] [8] Erica Thomas, 'Tuskegee youth facility dubbed 'House of Horrors' in latest lawsuit,' 1819 News , 27 Aug. 2024, [9] 'Letter: The alarming pattern of abuse at Acadia Healthcare facilities,' Springfield Daily Citizen , 29 May 2025, [10] citing MULTIMEDIA: Image link for media: Image caption: 'Children should not be warehoused, abused, or silenced. What is happening now is a humanitarian crisis hiding in plain sight.' – Jan Eastgate, President, CCHR International. NEWS SOURCE: Citizens Commission on Human Rights Keywords: Family and Parenting, Reform, Stop Child Abuse, Youth Behavioral Facilities, Citizens Commission on Human Rights, CCHR International, Jan Eastgate, LOS ANGELES, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Citizens Commission on Human Rights) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126791 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Mail & Guardian
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Mall taxi rank upgrades are a strategic imperative in enhancing mall environments and enhancing the commuter experience
The main terminals for taxis in South Africa are taxi ranks, normally located near shopping malls and shopping complexes, serving commuters in various communities. According to the As compared to other Gauteng metros, City of Johannesburg conducted an Taxi rank integration in property management supports dignification Malls with well-designed taxi ranks can help alleviate traffic congestion by providing a dedicated area for taxis to wait and load and offload passengers. For taxi commuters, the taxi rank linked to a mall is part of their customer experience and sense of arrival. It is imperative that this is a dignified experience. The establishment of taxi ranks at malls supports fostering a more structured, regulated and safe environment for both taxis and passengers This ensures the provision of designated areas where taxis can queue, ensuring a more orderly and predictable process for passengers. Furthermore, the overall experience for taxis and passengers at well-managed taxi ranks is enhanced as a result of improved safety and security measures where unauthorised or unsafe pick-up points are reduced. Established in 1979, the Liberty Two Degrees managed Eastgate Shopping Centre was the first superregional mall in the eastern suburbs of Johannesburg. As the mall experienced growth in customers from the greater parts of the east of Johannesburg, noticing that a lot of the commuters to the mall and its surroundings used public transport, in 2005 the mall established a taxi rank in its premises as a vital transport hub for the community. Today, the mall houses more than 200 retailers and approximately 30% of Eastgate's customers rely on taxi services. Establishing safer environments that support informal trading Due to the high unemployment rate in South Africa, many are engaging in desperate means for survival. The informal trading market is expanding as a result and acts as a safety net for many, providing employment and income opportunities for those excluded from the formal labour market. Informal traders, who in some cases operate in unsanitary conditions, have been deemed a challenge across the country. The lack of appropriate facilities as well as resources to support informal trading is largely to blame. To curb this challenge, those affected are addressing some of these issues to establish structure, safer environments and overall positive experiences. Naturally, the establishment of taxi ranks at malls unintentionally introduces various survivalist businesses, creating a hub of informal economic activity. This leads to overcrowding due to a lack of appropriately demarcated trading areas for informal traders. In line with L2D's Interactive Spaces strategy, which aims to create dynamic and responsive experiences, Eastgate Shopping Centre has embarked on an upgrade of its taxi rank which commenced in January 2025 and is due to reach completion in September 2025. This upgrade includes a comprehensive effort to revitalise the area currently occupied by informal trading vendors, addressing a long-standing issue related to informal trading activity. Integrating informal trading within controlled and safe spaces of mall taxi ranks benefits the businesses of the informal traders and serves as a business incubator. It also aims to manage public space allocation and regulate competition and ensure safety. A covered lockable area with well-lit walkways and facilities along with visible signage, addresses some major safety concerns that informal traders have in such areas. Mall taxi ranks play a major role in addressing such issues. The move to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the mall surroundings is a shift towards a more regulated and safe informal trading platform. Eastgate's strategy ensures that each informal trader enters into a lease agreement with the taxi rank operator and a copy of the lease will be shared with Eastgate's leasing team for oversight, to ensure fairness. This approach creates a much safer and organised environment for pedestrians and taxi commuters, as well as Eastgate shoppers. Opportunity in collaboration Collaboration with stakeholders is crucial and cannot be taken for granted. It ensures buy-in, the sharing of knowledge and seamless processes. The upgrading of taxi ranks requires collaboration with the Taxi Association, this ensures such projects are implemented in a way that aligns with the taxi industry's needs and addresses key issues such as infrastructure disparities and the integration of public transport. Eastgate's taxi rank upgrade is a strategic move, entailing an extensive scope of work that includes; an improved flow of taxis within the rank by creating a circular one-way traffic flow, designated queueing areas for boarding and elevated walkways with kerbs to clearly separate vehicle traffic from commuter walkways, covered parking where customers board the taxis, a new covered waiting area with seating available, refurbished ablution facilities and control offices, a covered informal trading area that is lockable as well as a pedestrian walkway connecting the rank to Entrance 6 of the mall. In the construction process, Eastgate had to also factor in a temporary taxi rank relocation with ablution facilities. For this to be successful, Eastgate engaged the four Taxi Associations operating at the Eastgate Taxi Rank, with whom they've had a longstanding relationship, to put in place a revised taxi rank management agreement for the future operation of the upgraded taxi rank. This will ensure both parties have a common vision for the taxi rank and that it is well maintained and sustainable. Taxi ranks should not be overlooked in property management Mall based taxi ranks are not just transport hubs, they are also centres of informal economic activity, supporting various businesses and providing employment. The integration of taxi ranks in property management initiatives is vital as a contributor to increased foot traffic and accessibility to malls. Well-designed mall taxi ranks can help alleviate road congestion and ultimately frustration, while enhancing experience and perception. Malls play a critical role in ensuring the success of any project outcomes, with stakeholder engagement being imperative to achieving this. A comprehensive approach fosters collaboration, builds trust and ultimately leads to a more successful and sustainable outcome.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Military vehicle goes over wall on I-90 onto roadway below
Two people were injured after a military vehicle they were in went over a wall on Interstate 90 in Bellevue onto a roadway below. According to Washington State Patrol, the vehicle was pulling a trailer on eastbound I-90 when the vehicle drifted to the right, went off the roadway and over a wall onto SE 38th St, in the Eastgate area of Bellevue. It's unclear what caused the vehicle to drift. Thankfully, minor injuries were reported and there were no other vehicles involved.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voters who put faith in Trump need to admit they made a huge mistake
In response to the op-ed, "77 million Americans voted for Trump, and most would do it again" (May 4), I love how Donald Trump supporters choose polls that agree with their opinion. Not reality. The fact that you would vote for someone like Trump if he said he was a conservative does not impress me. More: A third Trump term is never going to happen. Why does he keep bringing it up? | Opinion As for the economy, it was thriving under President Joe Biden. There was low unemployment, and the stock market was doing well. As for Biden's health, have you listened to President Trump stumble and bumble through interviews? Embarrassing to our country. You speak about former Vice President Kamala Harris being unable to put two coherent sentences together. When you make statements like that, you lose all credibility that you might have had. More: The Cincinnati mayor's race has been short but wild. Here's a recap Voters who put faith in Trump need to admit they made a huge mistake and do what they can to minimize the damage. Fred Gee, Eastgate This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Continued support of Trump raises questions about voter judgment
BBC News
01-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wisbech WW2 veteran joins Royal British Legion aged 102
The Royal British Legion will welcome its newest member on the 80th anniversary of VE Day - thought to be the oldest in the country to sign Eastgate is a 102-year-old World War Two veteran of the Army, who still lives in the town where he was born - Wisbech in Eastgate joined the Royal Artillery as a gunner in March 1942, at the age of will sign up at the town's RBL branch RBL branch on 8 May, saying: "If they will have me, I'll enjoy it; I can take part in church services." Branch chairman Toby North said he was "absolutely thrilled" to welcome Mr Eastgate, although he admitted he thought it was an April's Fool joke when he first heard the news. As a teenage soldier, Mr Eastgate was captured shortly after his regiment arrived in Algiers, Algeria, in November 1942. "I ended up in a camp in Italy and was given the job of treading grapes, bare-footed, but I'll tell you something - I used to do a wee in it and I have never drank any wine since," he said."I had my head shaved and a red diamond sewn on the back of my uniform, but I still made two attempts to escape, one of which was through a sewer, without success though."The gunner was demobbed in 1947 and eventually returned to Wisbech where he re-joined the fruit and potato merchant he had worked at prior to the said he had had "quite a life", but was now "a bit slower in my actions and walking around". Mr North said: "The legion must have members of 100-plus years, but surely no one of the age of 102 has ever joined as a new member."He said he hoped Mr Eastgate would be an active member, taking part in events including laying wreaths on Remembrance Eastgate's son David, 72, and daughter Carol Ann, 76, said they both planed to join the legion alongside their father."We like to try and support our dad as much as we can, and with the help the RBL can offer, it is a nice for dad to join something like that," his son David said. Mr Eastgate said of his long life: "I go to see the doctor regularly and have check-ups - and I keep my fingernails clean, people don't realise that dirt and germs get under them, I have mine manicured."The head office of the Royal British Legion is checking whether Mr Eastgate is its oldest-ever new joiner. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
