Documentaries and News Reports on the Troubled Teen Industry
Kidnapped for Christ (2014)
A documentary by Kate S. Logan exposing the abuse at Escuela Caribe (now Crosswinds) in the Dominican Republic. Most of the documentary focusses on David Wernsman who was sent there by his parents after coming out as gay. Viewers may find some of the content distressing.
British Sky News Report (2007)
British journalist Andrew Wilson investigates WWASPS, abuse in the troubled teen industry, and hired child-kidnapping services.
48 Hours investigates Paradise Cove, Samoa (c.1999)
The long-running investigative series investigates the WWASPS program Paradise Cove, which was later shut down for extreme abuses of students. It is one the most notorious programs ever to have existed.
Inside Edition investigates Casa by the Sea, Mexico (c.2002)
An investigative news report on two WWASPS facilities. Includes interviews with former students and their parents. Deceptive marketing tactics and fraud are discussed.
BBC Documentary – Locked in Paradise (c.2004)
A British journalist explores the WWASPS program ‘Tranquility Bay’. Interviews with students and parents who were conned and deceived are included, and details of abuses are listed.
NBC Report – For the Child’s Own Good (1979)
A report on the infamous Elan School in Maine. What should strike the viewer is that this industry has operated in the absence of regulation for decades – and the abuses which were occurring 30+ years ago are still going on to this day. How many more have to be harmed?
Fix My Kid (2013)
A documentary about Straight Inc. in the 1980s. It includes survivor and expert testimony on the tactics used to harm children.
Aaron Bacon (2009)
This is the full short movie about the real life experience of Aaron Bacon, who died in a Utah wilderness program from abuse and neglect. It was directed by Straight Inc. survivor Nick Gaglia and involved Aaron’s parents so that the story is as authentic as possible.
Over the GW (2007)
A true account of film-maker Nick Gaglia’s own experience in Straight Inc.
Fictional Representations of the Troubled Teen Industry
Please note that all fictional representations of the TTI displayed here are based upon real events.
Although these movies contain some creative license, please do not assume that they are exaggerated depictions of the industry. Everything you see can be supported with factual evidence.
Coldwater (2014)
A 17 year-old boy is forcibly sent away to a violently-abusive bootcamp.
Features: private abduction services; bootcamp experiences; wilderness experiences; physical abuse; psychological terror; abuses of power; use of restraints; seclusion.
Bootcamp (2012)
A girl is forcibly sent to a remote island bootcamp – based upon Paradise Cove (WWASPS).
Features: private abduction services; medicated abduction; bootcamp experiences; physical abuse; psychological terror; abuses of power; use of restraints; seclusion; death in programs; foreign overseas programs; cult-like tactics.
Self-Medicated (2007)
A 17 year-old boy is forcibly sent away to an abusive program – based upon Brightway Hospital (WWASPS).
Features: private abduction services; program experiences; physical abuse; psychological terror; abuses of power; use of restraints; seclusion; cult-like tactics.
Just the Right Amount of Violence (2013)
An unusual half-acted, half-documentary film. The scenes are dramatized, but includes footage of real interviews with real-life hired abductors.
Features: private abduction services; physical manhandling; psychological terror; abuses of power; use of restraints; abusive parenting; lack of due process.
We aim to keep these resources as regularly updated as possible.
The Troubled Teen Industry Watchdog 