“I think it’s time for the conversation and I believe, as we tried to tell in our film, these types of abuses are a doorway for demonic forces that rips loving families apart on a generational level, repeating abuses from one generation to another.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 21, 2013
Illumination Light Productions, an LA-based company, is seeking funding for a full-length version of its popular short feature, The Seedling, a film that has been used to promote sexual abuse awareness in many circles.
Jacqueline Ann Finch, is raising awareness about the repercussions of child sexual molestation and choosing between a destructive lifestyle and salvation, both for herself and the man she loves, in a riveting short film called, “The Seedling,” which she wrote, co-produced and stars in.
The British-born actress/producer and her production company, Illumination Light Productions, is seeking funding to extend the short feature into a full-length film. For further information or to donate toward the full-length version of The Seedling, visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1298557663/the-seedling where the short film can be viewed. The Seedling short is available at http://www.theseedlingmovie.com .
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, “As many as 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. However, because child sexual abuse is by its very nature secretive, many of these cases are never reported. Approximately three quarters of reported cases of child sexual abuse are committed by family members or other individuals who are considered part of the victim’s ‘circle of trust.’”
“My producing partner, Dwayne C. Ladd, felt strongly about making the full-length version of The Seedling so hopefully thousands more could see the film in theaters,” Finch said. “We are about to launch The Seedling project on Kickstarter, (a way to crowd-fund projects online) to raise the funding for the full-length version.”
The Seedling was inspired by the writer’s own journey leading to healing and her desire to shed greater light on what she calls “the hidden world of generational incest and the abuse of minors.”
“I created the storyline and most of the script about two and half years ago,” Finch explained. “I am a member of the British Academy of Film and TV Arts and I attended a short film workshop which is where I initiated the concept for the film. Once I had chosen a director I worked with him to polish the script and add additional scenes. It is a fictional work and not based on anyone.
“Before its release we approached RAINN — (Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network) one of America’s biggest charities supporting victims of sexual abuse, to see if they would approve of our film, which they did. We have been contributing a portion of our proceeds from sales of DVDs or festival tickets to them and advocating their cause on our website. In a sense it took on a life of its own.”
The film debuted at Cannes and other prestigious film festivals. Finch said her aim is to raise the topic of incest and sexual abuse to new heights, “which is still very taboo in our society,” she added. “Many people came up to me and shared their own personal stories. We were invited last summer to screen The Seedling at the Los Angeles-Indie Music/Film International Summit. Audiences told us they found the film powerful and moving.”
“The intense emotional and psychological damage, and the loss of innocence it causes in any girl or boy, affects their entire lives as well as their ability to have trusting, loving, healthy relationships,” said Finch.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey, “Victims of sexual assault are: 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs and 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.
Although many children who have experienced sexual abuse show behavioral and emotional changes, many others do not. It is therefore critical to focus not only on detection, but also on prevention and communication — by teaching children about body safety and healthy body boundaries, and by encouraging open communication about sexual matters.
“I think it’s time for the conversation and I believe as we tried to tell in our film, these types of abuses are a doorway for demonic forces that would rip our loving families apart on a generational level, repeating the abuses from one generation to another,” Finch said. “But I also believe there need to be a conversation with adult survivors and perpetrators.”
The Seedling, which was entered into the Cannes International Film Festival in 2010, has made it easier for some survivors of sexual abuse to continue a conversation about this delicate subject matter.
For further information or to donate toward the full-length version of The Seedling, visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1298557663/the-seedling or http://www.theseedlingmovie.com where the trailer can be viewed and the short film is available.
If you know or suspect that a child is being or has been sexually abused, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.4.A.CHILD. If you are a victim or survivor of sexual abuse and need support, call the RAINN hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.
By WILLIAM WRIGHT
Lifestyles Editor
