This Wednesday (Jan. 25), NBC will re-air a powerful “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU)” episode about young men who were sexually abused by a star basketball coach and the detectives who help bring him to justice.
The episode, called “Personal Fouls,” aired in September 2011 — just weeks before news stories broke in November 2011 about two prominent coaches who were charged with child sexual assault: Jerry Sandusky, a former football coach at Penn State University, and Bernie Fine, an assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University.
In the SVU episode, an ex-player accuses the coach of sexual assault, a claim that the coach denies and that others around him go to great lengths to disprove. Over time, however, the dedicated detectives uncover the truth, and others victims come forward.
How accurate is this episode?
Very accurate.
In fact, the organization 1in6 — a non-profit dedicated to helping men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives — consulted on the script and a public service announcement (PSA). The two-minute PSA, filmed by “Law & Order” cast members, airs at the end of the episode.
It is estimated that 1 in 6 men, or nearly 19 million adult males in the United States, have had an unwanted or abusive sexual experience in childhood. Men and boys who have been abused or have had unwanted sexual experiences are less likely to disclose them than are females.
1in6 was impressed by the sensitive portrayal of those involved with the production, including NBC; Joyful Heart Foundation, a nonprofit founded by “Law & Order” actress Mariska Hargitay; the show’s actors, especially Hargitay, Ice T and Danny Pino; director Jim McKay; script writer Bryan Goluboff; creator/executive producer Dick Wolf; and all of the producers and staff of “Law & Order: SVU.”
The PSA can be seen on the Joyful Heart Foundation website (men.joyfulheartfoundation.org), and a viewer’s guide created by 1in6 for the episode is available at http://1in6.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/1in6_Viewer_Guide.pdf.
Watching this show has the potential to trigger deep emotions for victims and survivors of sexual assault. If you feel you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or being harmed by someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) collaborates with a network of 51 rape crisis centers across the state to provide quality services to victims and survivors of sexual violence and their families. Victims, survivors or people seeking information, referrals or resources can call our toll-free hotline at 1-888-772-7227 or visit www.pcar.org.
