Press Releases
Groundbreaking Documentary to Premiere in Benefit for Rape Crisis Center
‘Boyhood Shadows’ reveals reality of childhood sexual abuse and the power of recovery
The documentary "Boyhood Shadows: I swore I'd never tell" will get its first public viewing at a benefit presentation at 7 p.m. Monday September 22 at the Steinbeck Forum in the Monterey Conference Center.
This unprecedented film explores the emotional carnage of childhood sexual abuse - yet also shines light on the strength of the human spirit. It is a stunning expose of this monstrous secret. National estimates say that one in six boys is sexually molested by the age of 16.
Award-winning filmmakers Terri DeBono and Steve Rosen spent more than a year filming the story of several men whose lives were forever affected when, as boys, they were abused by sexual predators. Among the stories is that of Glenn, whose struggles with substance abuse, homelessness and criminal behavior began when as a young boy he was abused by a sexual predator. Filmed in California, New York and New Jersey, the narrative chronicles Glenn's struggle as he tries to make sense of his life after telling no one about what happened. Numbing his pain as a teen with alcohol and drugs, he held on to his secret and his shame. His brothers, sister, mother and father were at a loss to understand what had gone wrong.
After decades of suffering, Glenn finally found the help he needed at a men's group led by therapist Stephen Braveman, a contractor at the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center. But his story is hardly the only one. Glenn's story is interspersed with those of other boys-turned-men.
"The filmmaker did a magnificent job," said Richard B. Gartner, author of the groundbreaking book "Betrayed as Boys. "This film deserves and cries out to be seen."
The film also features nationally known experts as well as several Monterey Bay Area residents, including Clare Mounteer, executive director of the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center and Ann Hill, deputy District Attorney. Original music in the film is by Monterey singer/songwriter Laura Dare.
The Monterey County Rape Crisis Center Men's Group is one of only 40 nationally. Proceeds from the showing will benefit the Rape Crisis Center's Child Abuse Prevention Education Program, which reaches more than 5,000 public school children each year.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling the Rape Crisis Center at 831-373-3955.