I was severely abused by the clubhouse model
TW: abuse, sexual assault, harassment
TLDR I was a member of a Clubhouse program in Michigan on and off for 14 years, and this past Tuesday was my breaking point. What I experienced there was not support. It was verbal, emotional, and even physical abuse and I’m finally done staying quiet about it. I was sexually assaulted back instead of 2025 and was suspended for 2 months while my assaulter was allowed back within a week. Jobs are promised but they give it to the favorites, if you have any physical disability you won't be eligible for a job. The director is extremely ableist and does it abide by the Ada
The director promised me a Transitional Employment (TE) position back in May, then suddenly revoked it without any real explanation. That alone hurt, but it’s just one piece of a much bigger pattern. She has repeatedly crossed boundaries, including driving by my house, making sexual comments about my body, and touching me inappropriately (like rubbing my lower back). She’s married, and this behavior made me extremely uncomfortable. There was also a situation where she nearly slapped me, then denied it afterward. What hurt the most, though, was how my sexual assault was handled.
I was assaulted by another member, and there were two witnesses. Instead of being protected or supported, I was suspended for two months while the person who assaulted me was allowed back within a week.
That told me everything I needed to know about how little they care about members’ safety. There are also ongoing issues at this Clubhouse that never seem to be taken seriously; including theft, public sexual behavior in shared spaces, and other extreme incidents that result in little to no consequences.
After everything, I reported the situation to Michigan Recipient Rights, and they are taking it very seriously. They’re planning to meet with the director without warning when she returns from training. I finally left, and honestly… I feel free. Has anyone else experienced something like this in a Clubhouse or similar program? I’m trying to process everything and would really appreciate hearing from others. TL;DR: After 14 years at a Michigan Clubhouse, I left due to ongoing verbal, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse — including inappropriate behavior from the director and being punished after I was sexually assaulted. I reported everything, and an investigation is happening. Has anyone else gone through something like this?