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National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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NAASCA Highlights
- Media Watch - |
EDITOR'S NOTE: Here are a few recent stories and feature articles from a variety of sources that are related to the kinds of issues we cover on our web site. They'll represent a small percentage of the information available to us, the public, as we fight to provide meaningful recovery services and help for those who've suffered child abuse. We'll add to and update this page regularly, bringing you just a few of the featured articles on the web site. |
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Justice Denied, the Documentary
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JUSTICE DENIED, the Documentary
A Unique Documentary about Male Sexual Assault within the US Armed Forces Made It's Debut at the Albuquerque Film and Media Experience, June 2013.
Contact: Geri Lynn Weinstein Matthews
(505) 270-1575 - MNT
fleabid@hotmail.com
Producers of the film JUSTICE DENIED, a new feature length documentary that takes a no-holds-barred look at sexual assault of men within the ranks of America's armed forces and the service members who must live with the aftermath of those attacks for the rest of their lives.
JUSTICE DENIED painstakingly explores what happens when a male active duty service member is sexually assaulted by another member and when and why it is or is not reported and the devastating effects it has on its victims. |
Through interviews with victims, their families, professionals, and their allies, the film looks carefully at the Culture of the Military to examine why it's not safe to report occurrences under current rules.
The Department of Defense says that some 26,000 cases of sexual assault per year are perpetrated with less than a 20% reporting ratio. By their own numbers, the Department of Defense says a little less than half of those are women and a little more than half are men.
And while the incidence of sexual assault among the female population is higher, the numbers are roughly even because there are more men than women in the military.
“We feel deeply honored to have been entrusted with these painful and often heart-wrenching stories and given the opportunity to help make the public aware of this rarely discussed, and institutionally ignored blight on the American Armed Forces,” said Michael L. Miller, the film's director and co-producer.
“These stories are agonizingly painful for the men in our film to live through again and it's taken an incredible amount of courage for them to step forward.”
He added that while sexual assaults on women in the military happen slightly less often than those of their male counterparts, the military and the general public has been far more attentive to those cases and the women have fought a long hard battle to gain a platform on which to share their stories.
Assaults on men have been carefully hidden from the public and covered up, not only by the victims themselves but also by higher ups within the chain of command; often the cover-ups can be traced straight to the top.
Producer and co-director Geri Lynn Weinstein Matthews added, “It's time for men to have their voices heard. It's time for them to stand up against these vicious attacks and against the deception of some of their commanding officers. Our belief is that this film will empower them to do just that.”
While filming JUSTICE DENIED Miller and Matthews say they began to see that the Department of Defense, the VA and the public are slowly starting to open their eyes to the massive cost and become aware of what these assaults are doing not only to the survivors, but to their families, their communities, and their ability to defend our Country.
But both are quick to point out that efforts so far have amounted to not much more than “Band-Aid” treatment and that serious change is needed in the culture of the U.S. Military and that civilian oversight needs to be included in order for justice to ultimately be served and these attacks to stop.
About the Producing and Directing Team:
Michael L. Miller is award-winning filmmaker based in Albuquerque, NM. Geri Weinstein-Matthews, MSW, LICSW is film producer and director based in Albuquerque, NM and an active veteran's advocate for the Military Sexual Trauma Community and wife of a male MST survivor and 20 years USAF Retired, Michael F. Matthews.
The Albuquerque Film & Media Experience, was a socially conscious and impactful event that represented creative achievement in film, music, arts and entertainment. AFME included domestic and international movies, family events, food and art, panels and time with industry leaders in attendance.
For more information about Justice Denied and/or to request a screener or an interview(s) of participants, please contact Geri Lynn Weinstein Matthews at (505) 270-1575 - Mountain Time, or via email at fleabid@hotmail.com or LinkedIn private message. |
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