TLC’s child sexual abuse special “Breaking the Silence,” which was conceived following the scandal surrounding “19 Kids & Counting” star Josh Duggar, will air Aug. 30 at 10 p.m., the network said Thursday.
The one-hour special, which will air commercial-free, intends to “shine a light on the challenging journey faced by those affected by child sexual abuse, as well as offer useful information where people can turn for help.”
“In light of recent events around ’19 Kids and Counting’ — and in an effort to promote education, raise awareness and advance the conversation on this important matter — TLC has partnered with two of the nation’s leading abuse prevention organizations, RAINN and Darkness to Light, on a new documentary addressing the issue,” the network said.
“Breaking the Silence” is built around the personal and emotional stories of brave survivors who have found the courage to come forward. Among them is Erin Merryn, a mom and two-time survivor who is determined to put an end to abuse with her “Erin’s Law,” legislation, which makes age-appropriate curriculum on personal body safety mandatory for children in schools.
The special will also include commentary from experts, as well as a prevention training session conducted by Darkness to Light, attended by Jill and Jessa Duggar family.
The TLC hit “19 Kids and Counting” was canceled in July after it was discovered that series star Josh Duggar had inappropriately touched multiple underage children, some of his sisters among them, when he was a teenager.
“Breaking the Silence” is part of a multi-platform partnership between TLC, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and abuse-prevention organization Darkness to Light, which will include ongoing public service announcements and information at TLC.com/BeTheVoice.