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Season 3 of Unspoken: Conversations with Candace is dedicated to male survivors of sexual abuse. I was the first guest for Season 3. Click here to read more about my story. I am now the co-host. Our third episode features Callen Harty. Although this conversation was pre-recorded, we will be releasing the video on Monday, April 24 at 7pm ET / 6pm CT. You can always watch it later, on demand.
The audio podcast is already out if you would prefer to listen to the show. Click here and scroll down for links to listen.
I am helping to produce the season with the support of Digimentors (pro bono).
Breaking the Silence: A Candid Conversation about Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse With Callen Harty
In this powerful and deeply emotional episode, Candace and Co-host Neil Parekh talk with Callen Harty who shares his emotional journey as a survivor of child sex abuse. Callen discusses his upbringing in a small town in Wisconsin and the traumatic experiences he had with his older brother from the age of 10 to 18. He reveals the impact that the abuse had on him and how it impacted his life until he found the courage to come out with his truth. Callen's autobiographical play, "Invisible Boy," premiered in 2010 and became a powerful platform for him to advocate on behalf of other male survivors of sexual abuse. His memoir, "The Empty Playground: A Survivor's Story," provides a further glimpse into his recovery process. They also talk about the themes and messages of the play and the importance of raising awareness about the issue of sexual abuse.
Callen talks about his self-discovery process after he came out with his story of being abused and how it affected his sexuality. Callen explains that many male survivors, both gay and straight, have had to deal with the self-blame that comes with the abuse. He shares how he managed to forgive himself and his mother while also addressing the ripple effects of abuse on families and relationships. The conversation touches on how to have better conversations about sex education with families or publicly given the importance it has on children's lives, physical and mental health. This deeply moving conversation highlights the importance of being open and honest about sexual abuse and the importance of providing support and resources to survivors.
Connect with Callen
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