In March, Meg Appelgate, CEO of Unsilenced, visited Montana to address the Senate about House Bill 218 during a hearing. Despite varied opinions, she strongly advocated prioritizing children’s safety over bureaucratic hurdles.
House Bill 218, introduced by Representative Laura Smith, proposes unmonitored communications for children in specific programs with their families, a strict ban on sexual and physical abuse, protection for abuse whistleblowers, and more frequent, thorough inspections.
The bill gained bipartisan support and passed the Senate on April 18. Governor Greg Gianforte’s signature will enforce it, safeguarding youths in Private Alternative Adolescent Residential or Outdoor Programs (PAARP) from mistreatment.
PAARPs, often for-profit and located in remote Montana regions, serve children with behavioral or educational issues. However, they have a history of abuse and neglect, as reported by Montana’s media.
Meg Appelgate, a former PAARP attendee, founded Unsilenced after experiencing abuse herself and facing barriers in reporting it. Her personal journey from a victim to a psychology graduate and nonprofit leader inspires her current mission against child abuse in such facilities.
Key points of this legislation include recognizing the fear of retaliation among survivors, which often prevents reporting abuse. The bill also addresses misconceptions about the nature of these programs and the backgrounds of the children enrolled. It emphasizes the importance of ethical, professional care, contrary to some legislators’ attempts to downplay the maltreatment based on the children’s circumstances.
The legislation underlines the importance of preserving family connections for these children, who are often isolated from their support systems, causing lasting psychological impacts. It argues against monitoring communication, which can harm the parent-child relationship.
Ultimately, this bill is a step towards protecting children in PAARPs, highlighting the need for effective, compassionate legislation in addressing the issues within this industry.
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