UNITED STATES
NJ.com
By Mark Crawford
Last Sunday night at the Academy Awards, in many ways, was an event to remember. Not just because of the controversy so boldly acknowledged by the show’s host, Chris Rock regarding the lack of diversity among those nominated for awards, but also because it shined a light on the issue of sexual assault and abuse — an issue which, for much too long, has been one that we as a society would rather not talk about.
A highlight was the appearance of Vice President Joe Biden, who challenged those watching to “pledge to intervene on behalf of those woman and men sexually abused, who did not or cannot consent.”
He acknowledged sexual assaults happen to women and men at staggering proportions on college campuses. He then introduced pop star Lady Gaga — herself a sexual assault survivor — who performed a sobering rendition “Til it Happens to You” to the backdrop of a stage filled with sexual abuse survivors.
Finally, from the awarding of the first Oscar to the last — when the Academy chose to honor the movie “Spotlight” as Best Picture, a movie about the importance of investigative journalism and its responsibility to shine a light on issues that must be exposed in an effort to protect and maintain a healthy and safe society.
When “Spotlight” was named best picture, it also gave a voice to the countless victims of sexual abuse — I among them — who hoped this real life story would continue to shine a light on the long-held dark secrets of a powerful institution. It gave us a glimpse of the suffering of those sexually abused as children and the walls that were built to ensure the protection of the powerful, so their secrets remained hidden and victims suffered in silence.
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