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Unless you signed a contract or there were bylaws that were gone over in orientation they used a form of psychological torture and abuse on you called the Darvo method. What they did to you is defamation of character and violated your civil rights. I wish you had reported them to Vermonts board of education and went after their accreditation and sued them. It makes no difference if I agree with you politically or not. You were a minor. You suffered all kinds of damages as did your family, you should have reported them and you and your family should have sued. Unreal. It's the way they did it to you and such narcissistic provoke and accuse then trafficked basically in the troubled teen industry. Deep dive their donors, research their alumni. Follow the money and see if there are any ties between them and the troubled teen industry along with companies or investors in that shuffle at the school ie board members ,staff, and alum. I have a feeling the pen may be mightier than the sword in your circumstance. You family should have protected you from that. I'm sorry you dealt with false allegations as it's trauma inducing. You are living well and that's the best revenge you can have. Tell on them and go down the rabbit hole. Follow the prep school money and troubled teen money see who the players are and where they intersect and blow the roof off. Your 1st and 4th were violated dude. Idgaf who you vote for or how you vote citizen as our civil rights are for all of us and if we don't advocate for each other against the misery machines so to speak then all is lost. I'm glad your kicking butt and naming names. Tell on em bro. You are a survivor. Much love and best of luck.

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Nov 20, 2023·edited Nov 20, 2023Author

Wow thank you so much for this. I feel beyond energized to have supporters like you, especially ones who actually know what they are talking about. It's hard being a survivor but amazing to have people who truly understand. I will say that there are things I left out because A. they are too personal and identifying and B. there are some conflicting people in my personal life who would retaliate if I published about them, thankfully I am immune from Vermont Academy because I no longer am forced to rely on them.

Unfortunately, I had signed a contract at the beginning of the year. I never expected it to actually be enforced. As for why I never sued them, that's because I was a minor and unfortunately what they did was legal. There are other reasons that I cannot disclose.

As for the troubled teen industry, I have been very vocal about them. Like VA, I no longer depend on them so I do not fear their retaliation. I was interviewed on a few channels and wrote my testimony on Unsilenced. We need TTI survivor style communities but for survivors of mainstream schools.

Again, thank you so much for your support! Writing this substack was worth it for comments like yours alone!

You are greatly appreciated! BTW stay tuned and I am going to publish an article about my experience with Matt Taibbi.

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Thanks for capturing this episode. I hope you’ll gain the power to resist next time abusive monsters try this intimidation. I know it’s hard for a 15 yr old to say: NO, I want a lawyer, call my parents, you cannot have my passwords or devices, but start practicing resistance, because that’s the only weapon we have. It was encouraging to get kind follow-up messages from coaches, faculty, administrators, and fellow students, but where were these people in the moment? Being cowardly and self-protective and allowing you hang without a fuss. Anyone who says, “don’t tell anyone” is an abuser. Denying freedom of speech on the basis of keeping everyone “comfortable” is assuming you’re a mindreader, and prohibits intellectual exploration and curiosity. I’m hoping for a wonderful strong future for you.

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Eli,

I too am from California. I am so sorry for what you had to go through. How horrible. Good of you to come through it stronger and wiser. I have always told my five nephews that it is not if you fail or get knocked down, you will, it is how you get back up and recover from the hardships in life.

I am glad you knew this despite not having family support after that horrible incident.

Good luck in all you do.

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Erin thank you for the kind comment. I had a crazy experience, as you know, and I decided this was the best way to handle it. Those are wise words. I am grateful for your support.

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You're more than welcome Eli, thank you for your kindness. Keep strong

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Nov 20, 2023Liked by Eli

Thanks for sharing your experience, Eli. I’m sure your writing will help many others with similar experiences who can’t find their own voice. This would make a great book. You could even write it in novel form so as not to worry about the pitfalls of nonfiction.

Who wrote the birthday cards? If it was the headmaster or dean, this is pure sadism. Private schools attract sadists and pedophiles more than the priesthood or the Boy Scouts!

I had a slightly similar experience at my prep school in Milton, MA, about forty years ago. I’m a happy, optimistic person, but there is still trauma from the experience.

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Thank you for your novel recommendation. It's one of my ideal goals before I die.

The birthday cards were not written by the dean or principal, they were by two staff who left shortly after I did. One of them advocated for me.

I 100% believe you that private schools have more harmful employees than Boy Scouts and the churches. They are harder to be held accountable especially if they are close with the administration.

I also believe your experience at your prep school. It must have been a horrible thing even if it happened 40 years ago. My goal is to empower more survivors to speak out.

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Thank you for sharing your experience Eli, I am sorry for the abuses you were subjected to. It all sounds very CCP. Their influence and tentacles are everywhere. More people need to be aware.

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