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West Ridge Academy

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Utah Boys Ranch, now known as West Ridge Academy, is a Mormon reeducation camp for children.

File:UBRmissionary.jpg
LDS missionary preaching at the Utah Boys Ranch

History

The Utah Boys Ranch was founded by the prominent Mormon Lowell L. Bennion in 1967, although it is unclear how much of a leadership position he had and how long he actually maintained it.

A few years later leadership changed hands and Utah Senator Chris Buttars became the executive director and remained so for more than fifteen years before retiring in the face of some IRS problems.

Abuse

Buttars and the Utah Boys Ranch leadership have recently come under fire with claims of abuse and complaints that staff use Mormon indoctrination in place of legitimate therapy. Numbers of former residents have posted testimonials alleging rampant physical and sexual abuse, negligence, cover-ups, lack of any government oversight, severe human rights violations, and other corruption and forms of inhumane handling of youth.

Media Coverage

On January 2, 2009, an article from a former Boys Ranch resident - written by writer and journalist Eric Norwood - was published detailing some of the abuses and controversial practices of the Utah Boys Ranch.The article erupted on the Internet; instantly drawing the attention of thousands of readers as it was reprinted and discussed at length on hundreds of blogs, message boards, and news websites.

Activism

Protesters demonstrated at the Utah Boys Ranch annual fundraiser The Scarecrow Festival in 2008.

See also

References

  1. - Buttars Booted From Boys Ranch
  2. - Teen Recounts Physical and Sexual Abuses at Mormon West Ridge Academy
  3. The Mormon Connection
  4. Testimonials From Former Victims
  5. Norwood, Eric (2009-01-02). "Trapped In A Mormon Gulag". Orato Media Corp. Retrieved 2009-02-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. Boys Protest 'Mormon Gulag' Fundraiser
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