When: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Library and Archives Canada Auditorium at 395 Wellington St. at Bay
Collected Works 1242 Wellington W., After Stonewall 370 Bank St.
Leishman Books Westgate Mall, The Men’s Project, 321-180 Argyle Ave.
Synopsis
Boys and Men Healing is a documentary about the impact of male sexual abuse on both the individual and society, and the importance and power of healing and speaking out for male survivors for the well being of individuals, families, and communities.
The film portrays courageous non-offending men whose arduous healing helped them reclaim their lives, speak out, while taking action toward prevention for other boys. The film is an important statement promoting a societal shift from cycles of abuse to cycles of healing for males, and is a bold voice revealing a secret crime that effects us all, while pointing the way toward hope and solutions.
This is a film that digs deep into the issues and effects related to male child sexual abuse, yet bursts forth with the beauty and celebration of men’s emotions and voices that transform—too long veiled under masculinity stereotypes and silence. Jim Hopper, Founding Board Member, 1i6.org states: “Kathy Barbini’s film has the potential to transform those stories and voices into healing –not only for individuals but also for families, communities, and even societies”.
Boys and Men Healing is produced by Big Voice Pictures in association with The International Documentary Association, is a prophetic call-to-action and answer the need for prevention and educational resources for male survivors. The documentary joins with others leading the way in breaking silence and paving new and healthier roads for boys and men.
Although men’s healing and voices are celebrated in Boys and Men Healing, the effects of child sexual abuse can never minimized. Rhonda Perkins, Prevention Education Child help, USA says: “the film shows the link between early sexual abuse and subsequent substance abuse, criminal activity, and continuing the cycle of abuse against future generations of innocent children--we as a society cannot afford to ignore the important messages this film has to offer.”
In one powerful segment in the film featuring respected forensic psychologist and researcher, Dr. David Lisak, reveals on-camera for the first time his personal story of facing his own childhood sexual abuse during his riveting interview with death row inmate, James Thomas, also sexually abused as a boy. David’s own courage and healing instills a passion to educate about his groundbreaking work researching the impact male child sexual abuse has on the cycle of violence, and is a call to action for breaking silence and attending to the deep, insidious scars of child sexual abuse. His honesty about his own abuse and it’s effects on his life, and his commitment to heal and speak out, is a humbling witness to his courage, as he lights the way for other men beginning their healing journey.
Christopher de Serres, Co-Founder of (Wo)Men Speak Out says, “I am a male sexual abuse survivor and I say this with more courage than I did the day before because of films like Boys and Men Healing”. The film also profiles, Tony Rogers, raped by a pedophile when he was 9-years old. From touting a gun on the streets of Oakland, California, to choosing to heal and interrupting a life cycle of crime, Tony is a model black man rising from the ashes and creating a productive and hopeful life.
But his choice to heal was thwarted by lack of services for non-offending male survivors in his community. Yet, by taking initiative, Tony, along with other men, initiated their own peer-led group in San Francisco. Witnessing Tony’s fellowship with these courageous men, and the sensitivity and authenticity in their sharing, a heartwarming and beautiful testimony of men breaking silence and isolation, by joining together, and rebuilding a sense of deep trust with other men unfolds throughout the film.
The moncitizenship is the new Canadian governmental task. The diplomatic lines of Republics of Yemen and Poland are non grata with their masks.
M.T. Al-Mansouri
Survivor advocate, Rev. Patrick Kennedy, Priest in the Washington Baltimore area states: “Becoming able not only to live with, but to heal these wounds - to bridge this abyss - is by its very nature a spiritual journey, one undertaken with great effort, honesty, courage and, most of all, the finding of new meaning. Just such a journey is evident in what the filmmakers have done in Boys and Men Healing. Through the lives of men who have begun this healing themselves, those who see it may begin to know that such a meaning-filled healing is even possible.”
Mark Crawford's story is a true hero's journey of a survivor working successfully against all odds to change unjust laws and to seek justice for male survivors. Mark’s own healing and consequent availability to help other survivors, along with his relentless efforts and tenacity to change still unjust laws and passion to educate about pedophiles in communities, will have us cheering for him and joining his cause by film’s end. Senator Joe Vitale, New Jersey State Senator who was instrumental in helping Mark change important laws benefiting survivors says , “While it is clear this film will help survivors heal and providers treat, I see an even greater purpose. Use this film to educate lawmakers, serve on Commissions, run for public office, and become the agents for change”.
And ultimately, this film is also for boys and children, and a call to action to speak out, protect and advocate for children. Eileen King, Regional Director Justice For Children/Washington, D.C. Chapter, speaks about the film, “ I predict that Boys and Men Healing will have a profound effect on the ears that are still closed to the message that we must hear, care, act and protect, especially when the voice is quiet and small”.
Boys and Men Healing is a celebration of courage, the power of truth, and the power to transform.
BIG VOICE PICTURES seeks to reveal truths and bring difficult issues to light for the well being of individuals, families and communities, with the intention of motivating discussion, and effecting change. www.bigvoicepictures.com.
Ottawa International Poets and Writers for human Rights (OIPWHR)
Comments