TLC Promotes Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month As They Continue To Push New Duggar Series
TLC recently created a PSA for Darkness to Light, an organization that helps adults “prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.” TLC will be airing the PSA throughout April in honor of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention month; however, not everyone is happy about ad noting that TLC has shown blatant disregard for sexual abuse victims by continuing to give the controversial Duggar family a platform to the public despite sexual abuse in the home, and what many consider an irresponsible response to the discovered abuse. Interestingly, while TLC is pushing the Darkness to Light PSA, they are also pushing the new Duggar series that focuses on the Duggar siblings.
https://www.facebook.com/TLC/posts/10156815608995173
TLC re-posted an ad that they created for Darkness to Light on their Facebook page proclaiming their support of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention month.
https://www.facebook.com/TLC/posts/10156815586325173
However, this isn’t the first time that TLC has coordinated with the organization. Just last year TLC called upon Darkness to Light as a means to damage control after it was revealed that the Duggar’s oldest son Josh had molested his own sisters. Many called for the Duggars to immediately be removed from the TLC lineup but the network was not so quick to end their long-standing relationship with the mega family. Instead, TLC opted to use the situation as a way to promote child sexual abuse awareness and utilized the Duggars in a spotlight piece on sexual abuse.
“Over these past weeks, TLC has consulted regularly with leading victims’ rights and advocacy organizations in the U.S., including RAINN and Darkness to Light, to discuss how to use this moment to address the issue and make a positive impact. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is not an isolated issue; it affects many children and families around the world. To that end, we are partnering with both organizations on a multi-platform campaign to raise awareness and educate parents and families about the issue. In the first phase of this initiative, TLC will work closely with both groups and with the Duggar family on a one-hour documentary that will include Jill and Jessa and other survivors and families that have been affected by abuse.”
The piece contained very little of the Duggars which pleased most sexual abuse advocates, but many felt the network let down sexual abuse victims when the refused to keep the Duggars off of the air. While formally cancelling the 19 Kids and Counting program, it was evident that TLC was not willing to cut all ties with the family, as they continued to work closely with the Duggars on the sexual abuse program and eventually a “three-part” series called Jill & Jessa: Counting On, featuring the newlywed Duggar daughters, Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald.
After testing the waters with the three-part series, which focused on Jessa Seewald’s birthing of first child Spurgeon Seewald and Jill’s move to Central America, the network quickly picked up the show in the form of a full-blown series. However, instead of keeping the focus on Jill and Jessa despite leaving them in the series name, the network has shifted gears and is using the program to highlight each Duggar sibling.
https://www.facebook.com/TLC/photos/pcb.10156814430215173/10156814425115173/?type=3&theater
This has left many wondering exactly where TLC stands with regard to sexual abuse, as the network has seemingly monetized the Duggar girls’ abuse by teasing at their response to the scandals by having tear-filled promos for the latest series. Following the latest push for the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month by TLC, many people have taken to vocalizing their disdain for the network’s handling of the Duggar family. One commenter said that the spot is a slap in the face to sexual abuse victims, as the network is supporting the “most vile and bigoted family in the USA.”
“This is being portrayed as a slap in the face to all sexual assault victims. You keep spporting the most vile and bigoted family in the USA… yes, the Duggars and their offsprings, and yet you tout your support of CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH…. Are you kidding???? The only way you will show your support of CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH is to announce that you have cancelled any show in the future associated with the Duggar, Seewald, or Dillard families! [sic]”
What do you think about TLC’s response to the Duggar scandals?
[Image via Facebook]
