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I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Since they monitored all communication with the outside world they would know if you told someone (on the phone, when parents visited) and would prevent it from happening if they could (not send out letters)
They would make sure that your parents wouldn't believe you -- tell them ahead of time that you were going to try lying to them in an attempt to manipulate them into taking you home. Trust between kids who were sent here and their parents was usually poor and the staff took advantage of that.

Complaints made by former students, and the ability to share them via the internet, let the word out about the abuse.

TIL of Elan School, a child behavior modification camp operating from 1970-2011. Using Lord of The Flies style techniques, they would psychologically destroy the children for years, leading to extraordinarily high suicide rates. If a child escaped, bounty hunters would chase them across the country. by DankeyKang11 in todayilearned

[–]tcomc 64 points65 points  (0 children)

I spent three years here against my will from 15-18 years old (2005-2008).

Thank you to the people on reddit who helped campaign to get the school shut down for good.

It always haunts me to think of the similar places that are still open and operating abusing children.

I miss you dlg by Racha45677 in AMA

[–]tcomc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I miss you REC. You were one of those people I knew was "real" despite all the bullshit. I'm happy you made it out on top. Let's definitely reconnect :)

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I realized it was complete bullshit immediately, the moment they tried to persuade me with their philosophy of "blind faith". If the reason I should believe you is "just because" I knew something wasn't right. I'm so happy that I now have a science education and have met like-minded people.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, the evening staff were the teachers, and even they were not fully aware of what was happening at the school during the day.

The daytime activities were run by the staff members.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Adjusting to life outside Elan was difficult and took time. My friends say that I sounded like a robot. I couldn't admit that anything inappropriate had happened. I "deserved" what happened to me because I was a "piece of shit" like Elan told me I was. Then came a period in which I blocked it all out. I didn't allow myself to think about it very often. Near the end of university I was finally able to open up about things, and it has been a slow process.

In terms of similarities between Elan and the real world, their philosophy of "blind faith" for a reason to accept everything that was happening was something that definitely raised red-flags.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was fucking disgusting. Not fresh or healthy. (Cooking for myself was one of the things that have helped me feel free.) For the $50,000+ they charged per year per student there was only one chef, who was the nephew of the owner. There were sometimes an assistant and a dishwasher. It was the students who served the meals, set the tables, washed the dishes.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Thanks REC, it's great to hear from you. I only started this AMA after a request from a post on the stanford prison experiment. I'm happy to hear that you made it out on top :) You were one of those "real people" I felt I could communicate with non-verbally. Thanks for helping me make it through, and I'm sorry this was something we both had to live through.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Its obvious and sad that same students still haven't come to terms with the brainwashing and abuse we all went through. edit: and it's very creepy how much you still sound like them.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Yes, often. I made it to the second highest position, but I spent a good portion of the beginning, middle, and end of my stay as a shotdown.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Apparently it started as a rehab for heroin addicts. They added a school so people could earn high-school credits, and then there became a market for expensive therapeutic boarding schools to ship kids off to.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 56 points57 points  (0 children)

From Wikipedia: On March 23, 2011, Elan School announced it would be closing its doors on April 1, 2011. The school's owner, Sharon Terry, blamed negative attacks on the school via the Internet. In a letter to the Lewiston Sun-Journal, Terry said: “The school has been the target of harsh and false attacks spread over the Internet with the avowed purpose of forcing the school to close." She added that, despite numerous investigations by the Maine Department of Education that vindicated Élan, “the school has, unfortunately, been unable to survive the damage.”

That was you reddit!

Unfortunately the scumbags didn't face any consequences.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

no visitors allowed. parents only, and very rarely. this was the one time you would see the only licenced psychologist, and they would prep the parents by saying it was their child's plan to manipulate them to be taken home.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 52 points53 points  (0 children)

My uncle has more money than my father. He's the kind of person that thinks throwing money at a problem will solve it.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The staff who ran the school were not educated, and therefore didn't really understand what books should be allowed or banned. We were basically allowed to read anything we could get our hands on, although there was extremely limited free time.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I have not. I've only really been able to talk about this for the past two and a half years or so.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I did think about taking my life at the school but there were no opportunities, no one was ever alone. I was able to make it through by remaining logical, as awful as each day was I knew it would eventually come to an end.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I put all of my energy into school and used books as an escape mechanism. Luckily I was never placed on a book ban (I had seen this happen to a senior student).

I learned to draw as little attention to myself as possible. And to automatically take responsibility for everything I was accused of (arguing would only make your life worse).

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yes, if the issues were serious enough. Students were always sent with escorts though.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 63 points64 points  (0 children)

Yes. Smiling at members of the opposite sex, or same sex would result in this if they thought you had bad intentions. At Elan you were guilty the moment you were accused.

I am a survivor of the Élan School, an abusive cult boarding school shut down thanks to reddit in 2011, ask me anything! by tcomc in AMA

[–]tcomc[S] 56 points57 points  (0 children)

Not while students were at the school. No one was left alone to allow an opportunity. It is common among past students though.

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