New Showtime Series Addresses Catholic Clergy Abuse Crisis

By Joelle Casteix
The Worthy Adversary
June 24, 2013

http://theworthyadversary.com/2008-new-showtime-series-addresses-catholic-clergy-abuse-crisis

Actor Dash Mihok plays clergy sex abuse survivor Bunchy Donovan in Showtime’s new series RAY DONOVAN

I have not seen the series premiere yet, but Showtime is streaming the whole first episode of their new series RAY DONOVAN on YouTube.

According to the Facebook page: “Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, RAY DONOVAN does the dirty work for LA’s top power players. The one-hour drama series stars Liev Schreiber as the go-to guy who makes the problems of the city’s elite disappear”

Why do I care (besides the fact that I really need a new show to watch now that I have seen all of the episodes of Walking Dead and Downton Abbey)? Well, it’s personal. Last year, the show’s production supervisor reached out to me because one of the show’s stars hoped to talk to victims of priest sexual abuse. Actor Dash Mihok wanted to create an accurate representation of his character Bunchy Donovan, Ray’s brother, who is a victim of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest. Since I personally could not help (I’m not male and not a victim of a priest), I put them in contact with my good friend Ken (an actor, as well as a survivor), who helped him wrap his arms around a complex and difficult subject.

Kudos to actor Dash Mihok and the producers of RAY DONOVAN for being brave enough to talk to victims, instead of relying upon stereotypes. Hopefully, the portrayal of Bunchy is compassionate to victims and helps anyone suffering in shame and silence to come forward, get help and report crimes.