In this episode of Rights and Remedies, I’m joined by Meg Applegate, CEO of UNSILENCED, a nonprofit dedicated to ending institutional child abuse in the so-called "troubled teen" industry.

Meg shares her harrowing story of being abducted at age 15 and held in two residential facilities for over three years. She details her long journey of waking up to the abuse she experienced, and how that healing process ultimately led her to create UNSILENCED, one of the most active survivor-led organizations in this space.

Together, we discuss:

• What the “troubled teen industry” really is - and how it hides abuse
• Meg’s experience of being brainwashed and the long path to “waking up”
• How UNSILENCED tracks abusive programs, staff, and private equity-backed operators
• The legal strategies helping survivors seek justice - and the massive role litigation now plays
• Her new memoir Becoming Unsilenced and the emotional process of telling her story

This is a powerful conversation about survivor-led advocacy, systemic change, and reclaiming your voice, even when others tried to silence it.

UNSILENCED Website: unsilenced.org

Book: Becoming Unsilenced: Buy on Amazon

Follow Meg on Instagram or Follow the Unsilencd Instagram Page

Connect with Meg on LinkedIn