Resource Center

Stories

The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast.

These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need.

Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:



Search results for "psychological abuse" ...

  • In the Kennel-Uncovering a Navy's Unit's Culture of Abuse

    In obtaining documents from a Navy investigation into the alleged abuse, it revealed a number of counts of abuse and hazing. Also, it uncovered a widespread psychological, sexual, and physical abuse across the Persian Gulf unit. The Navy investigation revealed all this abuse, but the case was later dropped and the unit's chief was promoted.

    Tags: Navy; military; abuse; sailors; cruelty; mistreatment; violence; maltreatment; hazing

    By Rachel Krantz; Ellin O' Leary; Lissa Soep; Charlie Foster; Nishat Kurwa

    Youth Radio (Oakland, Calif.)

    2009

  • A Hidden Shame: Danger and Death in Georgia's Mental Hospitals

    This series exposed problems in Georgia's state psychiatric hospitals. At least 155 patients died under suspicious circumstances related to neglect, abuse and poor medical treatment. Furthermore, patients are often discharged to places where their continued treatment is doubtful, such as homeless shelters, bus stations and street corners.

    Tags: hospitals; health; psychology; state government; mental illness

    By Alan Judd; Andy Miller; Megan Clarke

    Atlanta Journal-Constitution

    2007

  • School of Shock

    This story investigates the Judge Rotenberg Center, a residential special education school in Massachusetts that treats students' problematic behavior through the use of controversial aversive therapy -- mainly in the form of electric shocks applied to the skin. This piece traces the history of aversive techniques and explores the question of when, if ever, they are appropriate; tells the story of the school and the man who founded it; explains the tough choices facing parents who consent to getting their children shocked; and describes in detail the methods used and the concerns regulators have about them.

    Tags: education; therapy; psychology; alternative treatment; child abuse

    By Jarrett Murphy; Dave Blum; Danial Adkison; Phyllis Fong; David Yellen; Staci Schwartz; Ted Keller

    Village Voice (New York)

    2006

  • Suffering Together

    A New Times investigation discovered that physical and psychological abuse of children was common at Growing Together, a drug treatment center for adolescents in Lake Worth, Florida. The facility was founded as an offshoot of Straight Inc., which shuttered in 1993 following a state investigation that discovered political influence kept the program in operation despite findings of child abuse. Through public records, New Times found that children were systematically neglected, humiliated, and abused, and forced into subduing other kids at Growing Together.

    Tags: drug treatment centers; drug treatment centers for children; child abuse; adolescent drug rehabilitation; Growing Together; Straight Inc.

    By Trevor Aaronson

    New Times (Broward - Palm Beach, FL)

    2004

  • "Private Stites Should Have Been Saved"

    Potter examines how well the Army prepares its soldiers to handle combat, and the psychological results of poor training. Potter finds that Army suicides are growing, and that the Army is at least partly to blame for these tragic deaths. Potter discovers that while young soldiers requested psychological counseling, their pleas were ignored. They instead withstood abuse by fellow soldiers and drill instructors. Potter uncovers a shocking Army policy that asks superiors to implement a series of orders "intended to humiliate and ostracize the soldier until he or she stops 'faking' [his or her psychological trauma] and 'gets on with training.' "

    Tags: post-traumatic stress; war; U.S. Army; suicide; Ft. Leonard Wood Army base; psychological abuse; physical abuse

    By by: Maximillian Potter;ed. by: Dan Brogan

    5280 (Denver)

    2004

  • Abused, drugged and unprotected: Mentally ill children suffer in state-paid treatment centers

    Ohio's system for handling mentally ill children is wrought with flaws. Parents are often forced to give custody of their children to the county they live in before the county will help pay to treat their mental illness. Even then, kids don't always get the help they need. "Ohio counties place more than 7,000 children a year in centers where some are abused, molested, and improperly drugged." The article is full of horrible stories about mistreatment paid for by taxpayer money.

    Tags: abuse; hospitals; psychology; psychiatric ward; medicine; antidepressants; prescription drugs

    By Debra Jasper;Spencer Hunt

    Cincinnati Enquirer

    None

  • David Brame Scandal

    "When Tacoma's police chief, David Brame, killed his estranged wife and then himself, he shocked a community that knew little of the torment plaguing both his marriage and the police department. Brame became an officer despite failing two psychological exams, he was promoted to chief despite a rape allegation. This investigation looks at how this clearly unqualified man was allowed to assume and abuse such a powerful position.

    Tags: police; abuse; suicide; murder

    By Sean Robinson;Martha Modeen;Kris Sherman;Jason Hagey;Lisa Kremer;Stacey Mulick;Karen Hucks

    News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)

    2003

  • Flunking Grade: Psychological Tests Designed to Weed Out Rogue Cops Get a 'D'

    The Wall Street Journal investigates the psychological tests designed to weed out bad cops and finds "critics say they fail to halt racial and other abuse." However, other police cite gains.

    Tags: cops; police; psychological tests; racism; police brutality; personality tests; LAPD; job screening

    By Wade Lambert

    Wall Street Journal (New York)

    1995

  • Captain WOW: When is Mental State Of a Pilot Grounds for Grounding Him?

    The Wall Street Journal reports on the case of a pilot, Capt. Witter, diagnosed with personal disorder. "The Witter case, offering a look inside the normally closed world of the cockpit shows just how difficult it can be to decide whether a pilot is mentally fit to fly. Of 5.066 pilot groundings for medical reasons in the past two years, 915 involved psychological or psychiatric disorders."

    Tags: domestic violence aggression; alcohol abuse; FAA; NTSB; safety; Delta

    By Martha Brannigan

    Wall Street Journal (New York)

    1996

  • The Pain Doctor

    An 18-month investigation by WITI-TV captured hidden-camera documentation of Dr. Stuart Suster committing blatant emotional and psychological abuse to his patients. As the investigation continued, more and more evidence pointed to shady business practices and questionable medical techniques practiced by Dr. Suster. After the show aired, the state of Wisconsin charged Dr. Suster with 11 counts of inappropriate conduct towards patients, and he remained the focus of local, state and federal investigations prompted by the WITI investigation.

    Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; Doctors; Health; fraud; patient abuse; inappropriate conduct; Dr. Stuart Suster; state medical examining board; misconduct

    By Bob Segall;Diane Carbonara

    WITI-TV (Milwaukee)

    2002