TLC has announced plans to air “Breaking the Silence,” a new documentary about child sexual abuse. The documentary will include interviews with members of RAINN’s Speakers Bureau and offer a look inside a Darkness to Light prevention training workshop. The program will air on Sunday, August 30, at 10/9c.
RAINN and Darkness to Light are partnering with TLC on a multi-platform campaign to combat child sexual abuse in the U.S. Later this month, TLC will begin airing public service ads featuring the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Breaking the Silence will feature interviews with people impacted by sexual abuse, including Traci Lee and her daughter, Ter-rae Lee, who received help from RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline. "I was sexually abused by my father from the age of 11 until 13," said Ter-rae Lee. "With the support of RAINN, I gained the courage to extract a telephone confession from my father as the district attorney's office silently listened in. This call led to my father's conviction, allowing me to feel safe for the first time in years."
The program will also include the story of survivor Erin Merryn, who has led the campaign to pass Erin’s Law, which requires schools to educate students about sexual abuse. To date, 26 states have passed Erin’s Laws, and the U.S. Senate last month passed a bill to encourage the remaining states to implement such programs.
“We are grateful to the survivors of sexual abuse and their families who are so generously sharing their experiences through the documentary,” said Katherine Hull Fliflet, RAINN’s vice president of communications. “Hearing from survivors can make a big difference in the lives of other families who have been impacted by sexual abuse. We hope that hearing these stories will encourage many others to come forward and get help through the National Sexual Assault Hotline.”
Since 1994, the National Sexual Assault Hotline has helped more than two million people via the telephone (800.656.HOPE) and online chat (online.rainn.org). The hotline helps more than 13,000 people each month. RAINN and its more than 1,000 partner sexual assault service providers nationwide support survivors reaching out to discuss both recent and past traumas.
Child sexual abuse affects millions of families across the nation. About one in four survivors who use RAINN’s Online Hotline are under the age of 18. Of those survivors, about 60% say they were abused by a family member. Almost one in three kids who use the Online Hotline say they’ve never told anyone what happened before they contacted RAINN.
Be part of the solution: Visit RAINN's Action Center and sign up for updates to stay informed about RAINN’s work to address key policy issues. Learn more about efforts to pass Erin's Law on the state level.
Related:
Statement from TLC (July 16, 2015)
RAINN’s Statement about TLC Partnership (July 16, 2015)
Learn more and take action:
Child abuse statistics
Child sexual abuse: what you need to know
About RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. In 2015, the Online Hotline expanded to offer services in Spanish at rainn.org/es. The hotlines have helped more than two million people since 1994. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. For more information about RAINN, please visit rainn.org.