ON SEXUAL ABUSE
A word from Israel Moskovits, director of the film:
Narrow Bridge is the first
film of its kind in that it breaks the silence about the existence of sexual
abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community. While the film focuses on the existence
of the problem in that community, sexual abuse is a serious problem that is
found in every religion, group, and community in the world. The scars run deep
and affect survivors, their families, and their communities for years. Sexual
offenders rarely strike only once, they often know their victims and abuse many
people over a long period of time.
There has been a long history of denial and inaction with regard to sexual
abuse. When complaints are filed, survivors are often disbelieved or shunned,
while the alleged offenders are protected and often reassigned to other
positions where they have the capacity to harm more innocent victims. Meanwhile,
those who have been sexually victimized suffer in silence while the abusers do
not get the help they need.
There is a prevalent myth among all religions that sexual abuse is not one of
"their problems". The popularity of this notion allows the vicious cycle of harm
to continue. As the facade of denial has begun to crumble, resources are now
available for survivors and aggressors seeking treatment. If you or someone you
know has been sexually victimized or if you witness sexual abuse or assault, do something about
it. Resources are listed below.
While Narrow Bridge focuses on sexual abuse, it is also a film about abuse
generally and its effects on survivors. The patterns of hurt and healing in
sexual abuse, domestic abuse, incest, rape, or other forms of abuse are similar.
It is my hope that every person who watches Narrow Bridge gets something
different out of it. For those that are survivors of abuse, I hope the film
empowers them with a message of hope. For those that are not survivors, I hope
they will walk away with a greater understanding of the problem and a motivation
to positively impact it. For religious viewers of all faiths, I hope they will
see the similarities that infuse every religion, and come away with a renewed
sense of faith and pride.
Narrow Bridge is a film about sexual abuse, but also about the tremendous power
of faith, friendship and love. It is my hope that this film's message empowers
its audience to use these forces to positively impact the problem of abuse,
because if there is to be change, people need to work together.
RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS OF ABUSE
JEWISH
The Awareness Center
The Association
of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel
Phone For Religious Women 02-6730002
Phone For Religious Men 02-5328000
Available evenings. At other times leave message. Referrals available for male
survivors of sexual violence.
GENERAL
MaleSurvivor.org
TELL Therapy Exploitation Link Line
SNAP -
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
National Sexual
Violence Resource Center
REPORTING ABUSE
National Child Abuse
Hotline 1-800-4-A-Child
ChildHelp USA
FBI Tips and
Public Leads
OFFENDER RESOURCES
Association for
the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
Alternative Behavior Treatment Centers For Juvenile Sex
Offenders and Sexually Reactive Youth
PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
The Leadership Council
The
Wounded Healer Journal - for psychotherapists who are survivors
Robert Hugh Farley, M.S. - Consultant in Crimes Against
Children
LEGAL RESOURCES
National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse
The National Crime Victim Bar Association
The parties listed are not affiliated with the film and do not necessarily endorse it in any way.