The revelation of sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein has had the added effect of bringing some attention, though far too little, the the epidemic of child sexual abuse in the film industry.
Corey Feldman, the child actor famous for “The Goonies,” “Stand By Me,” and “The Lost Boys” has been speaking out about child sexual abuse in Hollywood for years, mostly to deaf ears. He has revealed that he and his best friend, Corey Haim, suffered sexual abuse at the hands of very powerful people in Hollywood. He attributes Haim’s early death related to drug abuse to his inability to cope with his being a victim of child rape.
Not surprisingly, Hollywood wasn’t interested in the truth getting out, and since the people who own the studios in Hollywood also own many of the news outlets, it wasn’t difficult for them to successfully cover up the horror. Amy Berg, whose 2006 documentary, “Deliver Us From Evil,” chronicled the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in the United States, and which was nominated for an Academy Award, also directed “An Open Secret,” which addresses the crisis of sex abuse in Hollywood. Unlike “Deliver Us From Evil,” however, “An Open Secret” was ignored by Hollywood and even suppressed. The documentary ran for only two months in four cities in 2015. It is available online:
Recently, an interview of Corey Feldman by cast members of “The View” has re-surfaced and it shows a incredulous Barbara Waters scolding Feldman for his revelation of child sexual abuse in Hollywood.
It’s a good thing that Harvey Weinstein has been exposed. It’s a good thing that Hollywood, perhaps finally (if only fleetingly?) addresses the scandal of sexual abuse of actresses. But, it would be a shame if the silence surrounding the sexual abuse of children in Hollywood remains under the cover and the perpetrators never exposed and the victims never acknowledged.
Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.
Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.
Thoughts and Prayers for the Faithful 