Troubled Teen Industry Lawsuit

Youth Residential Treatment Programs Face Allegations of Abuse

Every year, thousands of children are removed from their homes at their parents' request to receive therapy for behavioral issues like disrespect, drug or alcohol use, and video game addiction.

Despite claiming to have positive intentions, many of these so-called therapy programs for troubled teens are now under scrutiny for abusive practices.

There are currently an estimated 120,000-200,000 people in youth residential programs across the United States, according to the American Bar Association.

Programs in the troubled teen industry include:

• Attitude-adjustment schools
• Boot camps
• Conversion therapy
• Drug rehab centers
• Juvenile justice facilities
• Residential schools
• Wilderness therapy camps
• Youth rehabilitation centers

These unregulated and often unlicensed programs are part of a multi-billion-dollar industry that profits off desperate families seeking help.

What happened to you wasn’t fair. We're compassionate with those who turn to us — and relentless with those who’ve done them wrong. Let Sokolove Law fight for you.

Abuse in the Troubled Teen Industry

Industry operators are typically for-profit private companies, nonprofits, or faith-based groups that promise to help with problems related to behavior, addiction, eating disorders, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Sadly, survivors of the troubled teen industry have reported a wide range of abuse carried out by staff members of these institutions.

Allegations of abuse include:

• Emotional abuse
• Food and sleep deprivation
• Forced labor
• Isolation
• Neglect
• Overmedication
• Physical abuse
• Restraints (physical or chemical like psychotropic drugs)
• Sexual abuse
• Strip searches
• Wrongful death

In some cases, children were forced to hike and sleep outside for months at a time in extreme weather conditions without access to proper hygiene products.

Paris Hilton’s 2023 memoir detailed the abuse she experienced at the Provo Canyon School in Utah. She’s worked to bring the widespread mistreatment in the troubled teen industry to the national spotlight and highlight the urgent need for reform.

“I find it so empowering to hold these people accountable for what they did to me because they stole my childhood,” said Paris Hilton, a troubled teen industry survivor.

What Residential Treatment Facilities Are Involved?

There are thousands of programs across the United States that are part of the troubled teen industry, and many of them are facing lawsuits for abuse.

Lawsuits have been filed against:

• Elevations RTC
• Diamond Ranch Academy^®
• Trails Carolina
• Triangle Cross Ranch
• Trinity Teen Solutions
• And more

If staff members at a residential treatment program you attended were abusive, you may be able to file a lawsuit and hold them accountable for their actions.

Find out if you qualify to take action now — for yourself or on behalf of a loved one who suffered abuse.

Who Can File a Lawsuit for Abuse in Troubled Youth Residential Programs?

You may be able to file a lawsuit for youth residential program abuse if:

• You were mistreated during your time in a program
• Your family member was injured or died as a result of troubled teen industry abuse

If you prefer not to discuss your situation directly with our team, you can still learn more about your options and take action by filling out our online form or starting a live chat.

This will allow you to discreetly share whatever level of detail you're comfortable providing about your experience. We understand the sensitive nature of these matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way

Troubled Teen Industry Lawsuit Updates & News

Across the country, lawsuits and investigations are shedding new light on abuse, neglect, and systemic failures within the troubled teen industry. Survivors and families have filed claims involving both sexual misconduct and physical abuse.

Find out about the latest updates on troubled teen industry abuse cases below.

Group Calls for Stronger Oversight of Troubled Teen Industry

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) urged lawmakers to take stronger action against widespread abuse, neglect, and fraud in the troubled teen industry and for-profit psychiatric facilities.

The watchdog group called for mandatory transparency requirements, criminal accountability, and the withdrawal of public funding from facilities found to endanger those in their care.

"This is not a problem of a few bad actors. It is a systemic psychiatric failure driven by a profit-based institutional model that has operated with minimal oversight and little accountability, and often at taxpayer expense.”
– Jan Eastgate, President of CCHR

Paris Hilton Vows to Keep Fighting Institutional Abuse

Paris Hilton says she will continue speaking out “until every child is protected,” using her platform to expose and prevent abuse in residential treatment facilities.

In a January 2026 interview tied to her new documentary Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, Hilton described how she has turned years of trauma into advocacy, calling the work the most meaningful of her life.

Hilton first went public in 2020 with allegations that she was mentally, physically, and sexually abused as a teenager at Provo Canyon School. Since then, she has testified before lawmakers, supported survivors, and helped push major reforms.

"There’s so much work to be done. I just want to continue using my voice and letting others know that they’re safe to tell their stories. I know how difficult it can be in the beginning, but it can also be healing."
– Paris Hilton, Troubled Teen Industry Abuse Survivor

Senate Bill Targets Troubled Teen Industry Abuse

In December 2025, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon introduced a bill that seeks to strengthen oversight of residential treatment centers serving foster youth, court-ordered teens, and children with mental health needs.

The legislation would require the Department of Health and Human Services to create a public dashboard tracking safety and accountability measures, including the use of restraints, staffing levels, licensing status, and inspection results.

Supporters say the bill could help expose abusive programs sooner and improve protections for vulnerable youth placed in these facilities.

North Carolina Troubled Teen Industry Lawsuit Filed Against Wilderness Camps

A federal lawsuit filed in June 2025 on behalf of a teenage girl who attended Trails Carolina and Asheville Academy for Girls alleges that she endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the North Carolina youth wilderness programs.

Trails Carolina lost their license after the death of a 12-year-old boy was ruled a homicide, while Asheville Academy shut down following a state investigation into the suicides of two girls, according to the complaint.

The North Carolina troubled teen industry lawsuit claims that untrained staff used humiliation and coercion in place of treatment, leaving the teen worse off and traumatized, raising questions about oversight and safety within troubled teen industry wilderness programs.

“[She] was abused and humiliated; she was physically and sexually assaulted; she was forced to wear diapers and urinate on herself during long, arduous hikes in freezing cold and rain; and she was forced to perform commercial labor[.] As to therapy, she got no more than an hour a week."
– North Carolina Troubled Teen Industry Abuse Lawyers

Parents Push for Oversight After Deaths of Troubled Teens in Utah

In February 2025, parents whose children died in Utah teen treatment facilities urged lawmakers to pass Utah Legislature bill SB297, which would create an independent ombudsman to investigate abuse complaints in the troubled teen industry.

Supporters say the measure is needed despite reforms passed in 2021, noting that 7 teens have died in programs for troubled teens in Utah since those changes took effect.

Dean Goodridge's daughter Taylor died at Diamond Ranch Academy after reportedly suffering an easily treatable infection. Another mother testified that her son Biruk died by suicide at Discovery Ranch Academy after staff failed to report his suicidal ideation.

Get Help from a Troubled Teen Industry Lawyer

At Sokolove Law, our compassionate troubled teen industry lawyers can help survivors in all 50 states hold those responsible for your pain accountable.

Our firm has secured over $10.2 Billion total for victims who were injured through no fault of their own.

There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to file a lawsuit with the help of our troubled teen industry attorneys. We know how difficult it can be to stand up to abusers, and we’re committed to making the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation case review. Let us fight for the justice you deserve.

Exploited Teen Industry Lawsuit FAQs