The organizations are offering the free screening during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue raising awareness and starting conversations around childhood sexual abuse.
Los Angeles, Calif. – April 14, 2020 – In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, The Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD) and Childhelp are again joining forces and will present a free virtual Saturday matinee screening of At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal (ATHOG), an HBO documentary produced by Sidewinder Films, GSD’s media division. Earlier this month The Television Academy recognized ATHOG in its 13th Television Academy Honors, a prestigious award presented to television programs that harness “the power of television to inspire social change.”
The virtual screening will take place on Saturday, April 25th at 4 pm Eastern / 3 pm Central / 2 pm Mountain / 1 pm Pacific and will be accompanied by a live Q&A session on Twitter. Directed by Erin Lee Carr, ATHOG goes beyond the sensational headlines around the Larry Nassar gymnastics abuse case to expose a culture in sport that allowed Nassar to abuse hundreds of young athletes over the span of decades. ATHOG features interviews with the survivors, coaches, and Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who presided over the sentencing hearing in which an unprecedented 156 survivors gave victim impact statements.
“From the outset of the film’s production, we hoped At the Heart of Gold would be a powerful tool to amplify the voices of the survivors and demand a change in how our society safeguards its athletes,” said Dr. Steven Ungerleider, ATHOG producer and GSD board member.
David Ulich, also a producer of ATHOG and board member for GSD, added, “It is a natural partnership to co-host this screening with Childhelp. We have worked with Childhelp on several projects to end abuse in sport, such as the ‘Speak Up, Be Safe for Athletes’ curriculum, and we are pleased to continue our efforts with this virtual screening.”
Childhelp Co-Founder & CEO Sara O’Meara said, “During the COVID-19 crisis, when so many families are together at home, it is a good time to reinforce prevention education: body safety, online security and opening up important lines of communication.”
Childhelp Co-Founder & President Yvonne Fedderson added, “We have been rescuing at-risk youth for over 60 years and have made it through wars, conflicts and recessions. We know the power of a survivor’s spirit. During difficult days, these brave athletes in the documentary At the Heart of Gold remind us all that nothing is more powerful than using our collective voices to keep others safe.”
While it is free to attend the virtual screening, pre-registration is required. Please register at http://athog2020.eventbrite.com.
About The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films
The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films leverage the impact of philanthropy and the power of film to promote sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics among the world’s youth. Giving special emphasis to groups and communities that are most in need or most underserved by current programs, the foundation strives to include women, minorities, and youth in its mission. The foundation’s media division, Sidewinder Films, supports this mission by producing groundbreaking documentaries that bring untold stories to the international community. Visit www.globalsportsdevelopment.org and www.sidewinderfilms.org to learn more.
About Childhelp
Founded by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson in 1959, Childhelp® has brought the light of hope and healing into the lives of more than 10 and a half million children as a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping abused, neglected and at-risk children. Childhelp’s programs and services include residential treatment, children’s advocacy centers, therapeutic foster care, group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline serves children and adults nationwide 24/7 through phone, text and online chat. For more information, visit www.childhelp.org and follow Childhelp at facebook.com/childhelp, instagram.com/childhelp and twitter.com/childhelp.
