Secret Survivors: Breaking the silence around child sexual abuse

Recent events, particularly the Penn State case, have reminded us of the great need to find tools to combat child sexual abuse. It’s one of the most hidden epidemics, with an estimated one in six boys and one in four girls experiencing some form of sexual abuse.

I believe that one of the most powerful ways to combat an epidemic like this one is for survivors to tell their stories–for folks to break the silence. It shows how common this really is, gives others the courage to speak out and even escape abusive situations.

A new documentary project is in the works that does just that: Secret Survivors.

Secret Survivors is an interview-based theater project by NYC-based theater company, Ping Chong & Company, featuring adult survivors of child sexual abuse telling their personal stories on stage.

Child sexual abuse is an epidemic that affects about 1 in 4 female-bodied people and 1 in 6 male-bodied people. However, due to social taboos, very few survivors share their stories publicly. Secret Survivors uses direct personal narrative to represent the diverse ways this violence occurs and grapple with the many reasons that most survivors remain silent.

I heard amazing things about the performance this past year. They are currently running a fundraising campaign to gather the funds necessary to finish the project.

News is just coming out about another basketball coach accused of abusing a young boy at Syracuse University. Just as what happened with the Vatican scandal, when one survivor comes out, in creates a domino effect and others come forward. Telling our stories is one of the most powerful things we can do.

If you are interested, you can watch the trailer and support Secret Survivors here.