Ruby Franke: A once beloved YouTube vlogger, is now facing serious allegations of child abuse. Photo illustration courtesy of freshman Sophia Chaves. 

    Many students at San Luis Obispo High School are uninformed about how serious child abuse really is. A recent documentary, “Devil in The Family,”  surrounds the tragic story of the YouTube vlogging family that goes by the name “8 Passengers.” 

    “8 Passengers” was a YouTube channel started in 2015 by a woman named Ruby Franke. Ruby started this channel to spread information about Mormonism, but her family would remain unaware of how greedy she would become.

  “Yes, I have seen the documentary. I feel like it raises awareness to abuse that is going on in homes,” said freshman Saqqara Guilford.

  Many people who see this documentary are shocked! These incidents are important to people going through abuse, and those that need a better understanding of the behind the scenes of family social media creators. People don’t understand the exploitation of children on the internet is nonconsensual.  

  “I think parents do [abuse] because they don’t know how to control their own anger inside, so they take it out on the people they love, or the most innocent people,” said sophomore Fiona Sweeney. 

  Ruby Franke’s actions toward her children were gross examples of a power imbalance. Abuse is one of the worst things one could possibly do. No child should ever have to worry about being taped, handcuffed to walls, starved, and used as “employees.” These are just a few examples of the horrible things that the Franke children went through. 

  “I think abuse is very wrong and there are better ways of parenting. If you can’t deal with a child’s needs then you shouldn’t have one at all,” said freshman Stella Beckett.

  Ruby and her eldest son, Chad, had a mentor named Jodi Hildebrandt. In the documentary, Sharri, the eldest daughter, expresses that Ruby was abusive before Hildebrandt…to an extent. Once Hildebrandt came into the picture, that wall between her anger, and her actions came falling down. After doing research on Hildebrandt, Sharri tried to warn her mother. Sharri conversed with her mother, and a conflict began, resulting in Hildebrandt moving into Sharri’s bedroom. Once Hildebrandt had integrated into the home, Ruby’s children were no longer treated as people, but as objects. 

   “Child abuse is the worst of crimes. When an adult emotionally, physically, or sexually abuses a minor, they damage the victim for life. Children can not really come back to a place of innocence and trust once they are abused. Incredibly, they think that the problem is their fault which is horrendous. The toll to the individual and society is incredibly high…generations are lost,” said English teacher Lynnly Sainsbury.

  It’s vital to acknowledge the lasting impact of child abuse on victims and society. Raising awareness and breaking the silence is crucial to creating a safer environment for all. In a recent court date, Kevin, Ruby Franke’s ex-husband, reads a letter his youngest daughter had written. She had explained in the letter that her mother ruined her childhood, not only with her abuse but her forcefulness of youtube. The children should’ve been paid for their contributions, but it was later revealed that Ruby stole their money. 

  People like Ruby Franke are monsters. Although some parents may think their actions are justified, and that it’s just discipline, it’s not.

  If you become aware of, or suspect child abuse, it’s important to take action and seek help from any SLOHS staff member and The Wellness Center.

  No child should have to endure an unsafe environment, and staying vigilant can make all the difference in protecting those who are in an unsafe situation. 

  Sources: Hulu.com, Fox13now.com