Tag: child abuse
Updated on April 25, 2022 by CRHE
January 5, 2015 As advocates for homeschooled children, we were deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender teen who was homeschooled. In a note she left on her tumblr, Leelah explained… Read More
Updated on October 20, 2023 by Sarah Henderson
I am the second child, oldest daughter in a family that eventually grew to nine children, with each child spaced about two years apart. My parents read Michael Pearl and Above Rubies. They attended Bill Gothard’s ATIA (Advanced… Read More
Updated on March 23, 2021 by CRHE
Theodore “Teddy” Foltz Tedesco was murdered by his mother’s boyfriend, Zaryl G. Bush, in January of 2013. Teddy’s mother, Shain Widdersheim, had withdrawn him from public school to homeschool him months before after teachers reported signs of abuse,… Read More
Updated on July 10, 2019 by CRHE
“My mother informed me that from now on we were all going to be “homeschooled” so that no more nosy teachers would be interfering in “our” (her) lives. One of my youngest stepsiblings had made some mention to a teacher of the rampant domestic violence that routinely rampaged through our home. . . . Homeschooling was the first step my mom took to make sure no one could get involved through children’s loose tongues ever again.”
Updated on May 16, 2016 by CRHE
“Today as a public school educator, I advocate for strict oversight of homeschooling not only because of my horrible childhood, but also because I have been that typical homeschooling mom trying to do the best she can with little resources and support around her to daily keep her motivated.”
Updated on May 16, 2016 by CRHE
“I was constantly reminded that if I didn’t vouch for my family in the most favorable light, I could and probably would be separated from them. (I now recognize that to be another clear sign of abuse.) The fear of child protective services, and social workers in general (being agents who tore families apart), was both irrational yet deeply ingrained in me as a child.”
Updated on April 8, 2018 by CRHE
“My mother . . . read to us a lot and corrected our grammar constantly. As a result, my siblings and I all have excellent literary skills. However, both of my parents were sorely lacking in the area of math and science. Since they were the only source of academic support that I had access to, I did not have access to a proper math and science education. I was told many times in my childhood that boys are naturally better at math and science, and that I, being a girl could never excel, so I never tried.”
Updated on May 16, 2016 by CRHE
“Early in my childhood, my mother was diagnosed with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder; throughout the homeschool years she struggled to function as a mother, let alone as an educator. . . . My mother also exhibited traits of borderline personality disorder and was unpredictable and frequently intrusive, hypercritical, and explosively angry.”
Tag: child abuse
CRHE Statement on Leelah Alcorn
Updated on April 25, 2022 by CRHE
January 5, 2015 As advocates for homeschooled children, we were deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender teen who was homeschooled. In a note she left on her tumblr, Leelah explained… Read More
Category: Blog, Press Release Tags: at risk children, child abuse, Leelah Alcorn
How I Was Almost Rescued from Abuse
Updated on October 20, 2023 by Sarah Henderson
I am the second child, oldest daughter in a family that eventually grew to nine children, with each child spaced about two years apart. My parents read Michael Pearl and Above Rubies. They attended Bill Gothard’s ATIA (Advanced… Read More
Category: Blog, Voices for Reform Tags: child abuse, social services
Ohio: Senate Bill 248, “Teddy’s Law”
Updated on March 23, 2021 by CRHE
Theodore “Teddy” Foltz Tedesco was murdered by his mother’s boyfriend, Zaryl G. Bush, in January of 2013. Teddy’s mother, Shain Widdersheim, had withdrawn him from public school to homeschool him months before after teachers reported signs of abuse,… Read More
Category: Blog, Legislation, Policy Analysis Tags: at risk children, child abuse, Ohio
Elizabeth W.: “I am a survivor”
Updated on July 10, 2019 by CRHE
“My mother informed me that from now on we were all going to be “homeschooled” so that no more nosy teachers would be interfering in “our” (her) lives. One of my youngest stepsiblings had made some mention to a teacher of the rampant domestic violence that routinely rampaged through our home. . . . Homeschooling was the first step my mom took to make sure no one could get involved through children’s loose tongues ever again.”
Category: Testimonial Tags: alumni testimonial, child abuse, negative testimonial, New York, testimonial
Chandra B.: “Protections are a necessary part of all educational systems”
Updated on May 16, 2016 by CRHE
“Today as a public school educator, I advocate for strict oversight of homeschooling not only because of my horrible childhood, but also because I have been that typical homeschooling mom trying to do the best she can with little resources and support around her to daily keep her motivated.”
Category: Testimonial Tags: alumni parent testimonial, child abuse, educational neglect, Missouri, negative testimonial, testimonial
Megan P.: “I do not wish my experience on anyone”
Updated on May 16, 2016 by CRHE
“I was constantly reminded that if I didn’t vouch for my family in the most favorable light, I could and probably would be separated from them. (I now recognize that to be another clear sign of abuse.) The fear of child protective services, and social workers in general (being agents who tore families apart), was both irrational yet deeply ingrained in me as a child.”
Category: Testimonial Tags: alumni testimonial, child abuse, Illinois, negative testimonial, pennsylvania, testimonial
Kimberly R.: “Every abuse had a magnified effect on us”
Updated on April 8, 2018 by CRHE
“My mother . . . read to us a lot and corrected our grammar constantly. As a result, my siblings and I all have excellent literary skills. However, both of my parents were sorely lacking in the area of math and science. Since they were the only source of academic support that I had access to, I did not have access to a proper math and science education. I was told many times in my childhood that boys are naturally better at math and science, and that I, being a girl could never excel, so I never tried.”
Category: Testimonial Tags: alumni testimonial, child abuse, educational neglect, gender discrimination, negative testimonial, Oregon, testimonial
Lana Martin: “I suffered severe depression, suicidality, and disordered eating”
Updated on May 16, 2016 by CRHE
“Early in my childhood, my mother was diagnosed with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder; throughout the homeschool years she struggled to function as a mother, let alone as an educator. . . . My mother also exhibited traits of borderline personality disorder and was unpredictable and frequently intrusive, hypercritical, and explosively angry.”
Category: Testimonial Tags: alumni testimonial, child abuse, educational neglect, mental illness, negative testimonial, testimonial, Texas