“A bit of unspoken code amongst survivors is that we identify ourselves to separate the alumni from the staff. Although not everyone was molested, we were all exploited and the people stepping up to defend the experience are usually staff or insiders claiming “Aw, it wasn’t so bad...”. Yes, actually it was.
The staff all knew what was going on. There were teams of counselors and therapists, employees, all grown ups that KNEW what was happening. I started to put bits of information together I.e. we knew that Poetter was not allowed on the boys group sites. I was on the girls’ campus and we heard that. I got a vibe of deep sickness from Poetter that sounded an alarm within me; I spoke to my group about it, counselors, doctors, my parents, and I was hushed, told to quiet down and just respect his authority. That was in 1984... the thing that bothers me to this day is THEY ALL KNEW and did nothing.
Any rave reviews or positive comments about Anneewakee are completely overshadowed by the darkness and the abuse innocent kids were forced to endure for decades while the adults stood down. Staff should not be allowed to speak now, they didn’t then...”
pattio666 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/27/21