You Can Help Abuse Survivors with a Tax-Deductible Donation

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July 17, 2017

11:52 am

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Fundraising

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor

The interactive show Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor has been widely praised by survivors and professionals in the field for its value as a healing and educational tool.

We have taken it all up and down the East Coast and now we want to take it all across the country, to educate audiences and support survivors nationwide.

By making a tax-deductible donation to the Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor Nationwide Tour fundraising campaign you can help give survivors a voice all over the USA.

Make a donation now at https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/ask-a-sex-abuse-survivor/campaigns/739

Here are some testimonials from attendees:

Survivor and New England Director of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) Dave O’Regan said, “I came away from the performance uplifted, braver, and will always remember Michael’s courage and draw strength from it when needed in my own life.”

Psychologist Margaret D. Sayers called the show “an excellent illustration of the healing power of art and community”.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Dale Blair said “As a psychologist who treats survivors of childhood sexual abuse, I would highly recommend this show to anyone who struggles with the emotional aftermath of these traumas.”

Clinician Megan L. Doyle of SOAR (Survivors of Abuse in Recovery) called it “a powerful and moving testimonial to the impact of childhood sexual abuse throughout a lifetime”.

Clinician Maureen O’Regan of Orleans Psychotherapy Associates said, “I walked away with an understanding of the survivor experience that no book, training, or even my years of work as a therapist could have ever given me”.

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor has been presented for audiences of survivors, medical and mental health professionals, social workers, law enforcement officials, and others associated with the response to this kind of abuse.

Recent notable performances include the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, our first Sign Language Interpreted performance at Gallaudet University in Washington DC, and at the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance Conference “A Team Approach to Child Abuse Intervention”.

A packed crowd at the Children’s Alliance conference gave the presentation an average score of 4.5 out of 5 and comments included: “It will help me to do my job more effectively” and “It gives insight into the mentality of a victim which should inform all our work”.

Questions? Email askasurvivor@gmail.com.

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor in the Metro

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June 9, 2017

10:59 am

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Press

Michael Broussard in Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor

We would like to thank Madeline Presland and the Metro for this wonderful write up. The article also features a press photo (above) taken by the very talented Sarah R. Bloom. Read the full text below and see the article on the Metro site at this link:

http://www.metro.us/news/local-news/philadelphia/sharing-childhood-abuse-onstage-to-help-others-understand

Sharing a childhood of abuse onstage to help others understand

In interactive show, 52-year-old man speaks with audience about his struggles surviving sexual abuse as a child.

By Madeline Presland
Published : June 08, 2017 | Updated : June 09, 2017

Walking onstage to perform a one-man show isn’t easy. Acting out your own trauma is almost unheard of.

Michael Broussard, 52, takes the stage in a plaid shirt. He begins his show, “Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor,” by talking about a happy childhood he doesn’t remember. The memory of a child who loved dancing is lost to several years of rape and abuse that began when he was 7 years old. His stepfather was his abuser. Euphemisms are off the stage, and the pain isn’t sugar-coated. Broussard began writing his ever-evolving show in 2014. To this day, he continues to write his brutally honest narrative from his own memories.

“Every time I come up with something to try to portray it, and I start crying, I put it in the show,” said Broussard. “If I get mad, it goes in the show. It’s ripping the stitches open.”

Broussard, based in Landsdowne, Pennsylvania, has performed his interactive show up and down the East Coast for psychologists and law enforcement, and a crowdfunded performance was just held at the Adrienne Theater in Center City.

A key part of Broussard’s show is giving the audience time to ask questions and react at several points throughout the show. Instead of waiting to answer questions at the end, Broussard allows thoughtful pauses for discussion. Broussard breaks up the performance with opportunities for the audience to ask questions and give feedback. His focus on interaction makes the experience as much about others as it is about him. For Broussard, that’s the entire point of performing.

“This is very vulnerable,” said audience member and fellow performer Pete Haas. “Taking all of that emotion without a break would potentially be devastating.”

“The thing about audience feedback is that it’s terrifying,” said Broussard. “What I want people to do is talk about this and learn from it. You need to have feedback in order to do that.”

In addition to performing in front of a public audience, Broussard has also done his show in front of therapists and other professionals who want to learn through a new medium.

“I’m a walking, talking case study,” said Broussard. “People who are traumatized are re-traumatized every time they need to tell their story. I can answer questions about what happened to me when I was 7 from my perspective as a 52-year-old.”

“What Michael is doing we all do to some extent – channeling his anger and rage, so to speak, into a productive pro-social way,” said Dr. Steven Berkowitz of Penn’s Child and Adolescent Trauma Program. “He’s doing this by educating and helping people understand his experience and the experience of other people who were sexually abused as kids.”

In addition to diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, Berkowitz says that substance abuse is a common struggle for adults who were sexually abused as children. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network reports that 70 percent of people who are in detox programs for substance abuse have a history with childhood abuse.

“This performance allows him to take those experiences into the world and not hang onto them,” said Berkowitz.

Broussard’s message is one of hope. The darker moments of his performance are offset by his sense of humor and a passionate love for the show “Doctor Who.” But after the applause ends, Broussard’s performances can take a toll on him. Reliving the abuse can trigger depressive episodes and panic attacks.

But he knows his shows must go on.

“I have seen people talk about their own abuse for the first time in their lives,” he said. “That makes me feel like there’s a reason for what I do.”

Learn more about the show at sexabusesurvivor.com.

Our Free Performance of “Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor” in Philly in May is now Fully Funded!

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March 7, 2017

10:44 am

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Free, Fundraising, Performances

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor - Teddy

On February 22nd, 2017 we launched a crowdfunding campaign to support a free public performance of “Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor” in Philadelphia this May. Just 12 days later it was fully funded.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of our generous donors: Kathleen Mosher, Denise Gollmer Weinstein , Elizabeth Evans, Jean Brooks, Kristie Kozenewski, Jason B. Schmidt, Kimberlie Cruse, Georgina Bard, Daniel J. Reynolds, Alexis Calhoun, Julia Calhoun, Kristen Schier, Tamara Anderson, Julie Chapin, John Yorio, Tina Thompson, Susan Seeton, Marlane Stempko, Frances M. Doyle, Sarah Bloom, Jenny Hill, Janice McDuffy, Ryan Lawrence, Jeremy Rodden, Rivka Edery LCSW, Pam Sterner Boyer, Alicia Williams, Dr. Garrett Marie Deckel, and of course our many kind anonymous donors.

The show is on! We hope to see many of you at the Adrienne Theater on Saturday afternoon May 27th, 2017 for a completely free performance of “Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor”. Full details are below.

  • Sat
    27
    May
    2017

    Philadelphia, PA - Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor

    3pm

    Playground at the Adrienne Theatre (first door on your left as you enter the theater), 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

    Free Admission (NO TICKET NEEDED)

    MORE INFO | VENUE | FACEBOOK EVENT

    Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor

    ASK A SEX ABUSE SURVIVOR (play)

    A FREE public performance of "Ask" supported by public donations. Help fund this event with a tax-deductible donation through our Fiscal Sponsor Fractured Atlas.

    All are welcome. No ticket needed.

    Childhood sexual abuse survivor Michael Broussard's interactive presentation utilizes a unique mix of storytelling, audience interaction and improvisation to spark a real-time conversation about the effects of sexual abuse on children and adult survivors. Broussard himself is a walking, talking case study, able to give candid answers to questions about the survivor experience from all stages of his life.

    The one-hour performance includes feedback breaks throughout, during which audience members are encouraged to ask questions, make comments, or participate in any way they see fit.

    Please note that some material may not be suitable for all audiences.


    DIRECTIONS

    From Center City: The Adrienne Theatre is just north of Rittenhouse Square. Take Walnut Street to 20th Street and turn right. Travel one block to Sansom Street and turn left. The Adrienne is one-half block on the left. A parking garage is across the street on the right. The Playground is the first door on your left as you enter the building.

    From I-95 North: Take I-95 North to exit 12 (Route 291 to I-76). Follow signs to Center City Philadelphia (I-76 West). Get on I-76 west to Exit 345 [Old Exit 39] (I-676-Center City). Travel eastbound on I-676 to Broad Street. Turn right onto 15th Street at the end of the ramp. Travel south on 15th Street for 8 blocks (stay in right hand lane when passing City Hall) to Sansom Street. Turn right onto Sansom Street and travel west for 5 blocks to 20th Street. The Adrienne is one-half block on the left. A parking garage is across the street on the right. The Playground is the first door on your left as you enter the building.

    From I-95 South: Take I-95 south to exit 17 (I-676 Center-City off-ramp). Take Westbound I-676 for 6/10 mile. Exit on Broad Street. Turn right onto 15th Street at end of ramp. Travel south on 15th Street for 8 blocks (stay in right hand lane when passing City Hall) to Sansom Street. Turn right onto Sansom Street and travel west for 5 blocks to 20th Street. The Adrienne Theatre is one-half block on the left. A parking garage is across the street on the right. The Playground is the first door on your left as you enter the building.

    From I-76: Take I-76 to Exit 345 [Old Exit 39] (Center City-I-676). Travel eastbound on I-676 to the Broad Street exit. Turn right onto 15th Street at end of ramp. Travel south on 15th Street for 8 blocks (stay in right hand lane when passing City Hall) to Sansom Street. Turn right onto Sansom Street and travel west for 5 blocks to 20th Street. The Adrienne is one-half block on the left. A parking garage is across the street on the right. The Playground is the first door on your left as you enter the building.

    PUBLIC TRANSIT: The Adrienne Theatre is located within a 15 minute walk from both Suburban and 30th Street stations. Center City buses run along Market, Chestnut, Walnut, and 20th Streets and have stops as close as a block from the theatre. Visit SEPTA’s website at http://septa.org and use the Trip Planner in the left-hand menu. The Playground is the first door on your left as you enter the building.

    PARKING

    Metered Parking: Metered street parking is available on several blocks in all directions surrounding The Adrienne.

    Indoor Garages & Outdoor Lots: There are many parking garages and outdoor lots within a few blocks of The Adrienne. The closest is located directly across the street at 2027 Sansom. Additional parking facilities are located at 125 South 20th, 2036 Chestnut, and 2101 Chestnut. For a list of nearby parking garages visit http://philadelphia.centralparking.com/Philadelphia-Rittenhouse-Square-Parking.html.

    GET DIRECTIONS FROM GOOGLE MAPS

Survivor Knights Philadelphia was a Powerful Community Event

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January 26, 2017

11:07 am

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Art Show, Free, Spoken Word

Survivor Knights Philadelphia
Artwork by Tiffani Dean – Photo by Jody Austin

The mutual support and love demonstrated by survivors of all kinds at the free event Survivor Knights Philadelphia on Saturday, January 21st was truly beautiful. Artists, speakers and poets gathered at the Rotunda on Walnut Street in University City to share their experiences on canvas and onstage.

As people walked around the space taking in the powerful imagery from artists Charlene Lutz (Muse Gallery), Brian Cardoza (The Broken Knee Club and Survivor Knights), Kathleen Mosher (MsMoArt), Mariellen Cressman, Jody Austin aka TruStory (CEO/President The Collective Mic, LLC), and Tiffani Dean aka La Diva Noire (COO/vice-President The Collective Mic, LLC), deep conversations could be heard in every corner about what it means to survive and how survivors can care for one another.

Later in the afternoon the speakers took the stage and filled the room with a hopeful cry for understanding. Inspiring words from Zahra Diallo, Michael Broussard (author and performer of the one man interactive play Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor), Bonnell Williams, Kellie Springer (author of Relentless: A Journey of Forgiveness), Brian Cardoza (author of The Unexpected Victim), Edna J. White (author of Stuff!: Giving the Secret a Voice), Jody Austin, and Tiffani Dean elicited frequent and enthusiastic applause.

As the event wound down people could be heard making plans for the next one, and the next one after that.

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor would like to thank Survivor Knights founder Brian Cardoza for giving us the opportunity to host this amazing event.

Thanks also go out to the following, for their invaluable assistance: Rotunda Director Gina Renzi, Rotunda Intern Andrew Simpson, audio tech Styx Latte, and volunteer Jennifer Cutler.

If you are interested in hosting a Survivor Knights event in your area, please contact Brian Cardoza at briancardoza198@hotmail.com or visit www.brokenkneeclub.org or www.facebook.com/SurvivorKnights.

The next Survivor Knights event will be Chasing Immortality on Saturday, January 28th at the New Bern Civic Theatre in New Bern, North Carolina.

Join us for a FREE Survivor Art Show and Spoken Word Event 1/21/17 in Philly

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January 8, 2017

1:24 pm

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Art Show, Free, Spoken Word

Survivor Knights

On Saturday, January 21st, 2017 at the Rotunda in Philadelphia survivors of all kinds will share their visual art and stories at a free event designed to bring the community together in mutual support. Complete details below.

The event is co-sponsored by the North Carolina based arts community Survivor Knights and Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor.

The Survivor Knights community is the brainchild of survivor and advocate Brian Cardoza, who is also the founder of the Broken Knee Club, a support and advocacy organization working to raise awareness about childhood sexual abuse.

Come out and meet your fellow survivors.

  • Sat
    21
    Jan
    2017

    Philadelphia, PA - Survivor Knights Art Show & Spoken Word

    12pm to 4pm

    Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

    Free Admission (NO TICKET NEEDED)

    MORE INFO | VENUE | FACEBOOK EVENT

    Survivor Knights

    Survivors of all kinds share their visual art and stories at a free event designed to bring the community together in mutual support. Artists include Charlene Lutz (Muse Gallery), Brian Cardoza (The Broken Knee Club and Survivor Knights), Kathleen Mosher (MsMoArt), Mariellen Cressman, Jody Austin aka TruStory (CEO/President The Collective Mic, LLC), and Tiffani Dean aka La Diva Noire (COO/vice-President The Collective Mic, LLC). Speakers include Poet Zahra Diallo, Advocate and Playwright Michael Broussard, Healing Arts Coach and Survivor's Advocate Kenisha Coy, Playwright Elaine Crocker-Bey, Advocate Bonnell Williams, Author Kellie Springer, John Delaney, Author of The Unexpected Victim and Keynote speaker for Chasing Immortality Brian Cardoza, Author and Advocate Edna J. White, Jody Austin aka TruStory (CEO/President The Collective Mic, LLC), and Tiffani Dean aka La Diva Noire (COO/vice-President The Collective Mic, LLC).

    The event is FREE and open to the public.

    This event is co-sponsored by Survivor Knights of North Carolina and Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor.

    Visit https://www.facebook.com/SurvivorKnights/

    PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS

    Take the Market/Frankford Line to 40th and Market, then walk South on 40th from Market to Walnut (you will pass through Ludlow, Chestnut and Sansom). The Rotunda is 4014 Walnut Street, right next door to a Movie Theater, across from the Fresh Grocer. Use the entrance on the left hand side of the Rotunda.

    DRIVING DIRECTIONS

    from NORTH:

    I-95 South to 676/30 West to 76 East (towards the airport) to Exit 346A South Street (old Exit 40). Make a right turn off exit toward the University of PA sign. South Street will become Spruce Street. Continue on Spruce street until you reach 38th Street, turn right onto 38th. Go up 38th and turn left onto Walnut. The Rotunda will be on your left hand side just after the intersection of 40th and Walnut. You’ll see a Movie Theater on the corner and then the Rotunda. Use the entrance on the left hand side of the Rotunda.

    OR

    PA Turnpike to North/Northeast Extension to I-476 S to I-76 East. Follow directions above.

    from SOUTH JERSEY:

    Ben Franklin Bridge to 676/30 West to 76 East (towards the airport) to Exit 346A South Street (old Exit 40). Make a right turn off exit toward the University of PA sign. South Street will become Spruce Street. Continue on Spruce street until you reach 38th Street, turn right onto 38th. Go up 38th and turn left onto Walnut. The Rotunda will be on your left hand side just after the intersection of 40th and Walnut. You’ll see a Movie Theater on the corner and then the Rotunda. Use the entrance on the left hand side of the Rotunda.

    OR

    Walt Whitman Bridge to 76 West to Exit 346A South Street (old Exit 40). Make a left turn off exit toward the University of PA sign. Follow directions above.

    GET DIRECTIONS FROM GOOGLE MAPS

Call for Survivor Artists and Speakers for Survivor Knights Philadelphia

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July 25, 2016

1:51 pm

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Art Show, Free

Survivor Knights

We are seeking visual artists and speakers for a free event in Philadelphia co-sponsored by the North Carolina based arts community Survivor Knights and Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor.

Survivors of any kind of trauma, abuse, medical condition, or any other life challenge, are invited to display their art and/or to speak at Survivor Knights Philadelphia, Saturday, January 21st, 2017 at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

To participate, send photos of your art or a recording (audio or video) of your spoken word piece to askasurvivor@gmail.com. We will be accepting submissions until December 31st, 2016.

The Survivor Knights community is the brainchild of survivor and advocate Brian Cardoza, who is also the founder of the Broken Knee Club, a support and advocacy organization working to raise awareness about childhood sexual abuse.

We look forward to displaying your art and hearing you speak. Only together can we survive. Your darkest moments may be the light to another.

  • Sat
    21
    Jan
    2017

    Philadelphia, PA - Survivor Knights Art Show & Spoken Word

    12pm to 4pm

    Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

    Free Admission (NO TICKET NEEDED)

    MORE INFO | VENUE | FACEBOOK EVENT

    Survivor Knights

    Survivors of all kinds share their visual art and stories at a free event designed to bring the community together in mutual support. Artists include Charlene Lutz (Muse Gallery), Brian Cardoza (The Broken Knee Club and Survivor Knights), Kathleen Mosher (MsMoArt), Mariellen Cressman, Jody Austin aka TruStory (CEO/President The Collective Mic, LLC), and Tiffani Dean aka La Diva Noire (COO/vice-President The Collective Mic, LLC). Speakers include Poet Zahra Diallo, Advocate and Playwright Michael Broussard, Healing Arts Coach and Survivor's Advocate Kenisha Coy, Playwright Elaine Crocker-Bey, Advocate Bonnell Williams, Author Kellie Springer, John Delaney, Author of The Unexpected Victim and Keynote speaker for Chasing Immortality Brian Cardoza, Author and Advocate Edna J. White, Jody Austin aka TruStory (CEO/President The Collective Mic, LLC), and Tiffani Dean aka La Diva Noire (COO/vice-President The Collective Mic, LLC).

    The event is FREE and open to the public.

    This event is co-sponsored by Survivor Knights of North Carolina and Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor.

    Visit https://www.facebook.com/SurvivorKnights/

    PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS

    Take the Market/Frankford Line to 40th and Market, then walk South on 40th from Market to Walnut (you will pass through Ludlow, Chestnut and Sansom). The Rotunda is 4014 Walnut Street, right next door to a Movie Theater, across from the Fresh Grocer. Use the entrance on the left hand side of the Rotunda.

    DRIVING DIRECTIONS

    from NORTH:

    I-95 South to 676/30 West to 76 East (towards the airport) to Exit 346A South Street (old Exit 40). Make a right turn off exit toward the University of PA sign. South Street will become Spruce Street. Continue on Spruce street until you reach 38th Street, turn right onto 38th. Go up 38th and turn left onto Walnut. The Rotunda will be on your left hand side just after the intersection of 40th and Walnut. You’ll see a Movie Theater on the corner and then the Rotunda. Use the entrance on the left hand side of the Rotunda.

    OR

    PA Turnpike to North/Northeast Extension to I-476 S to I-76 East. Follow directions above.

    from SOUTH JERSEY:

    Ben Franklin Bridge to 676/30 West to 76 East (towards the airport) to Exit 346A South Street (old Exit 40). Make a right turn off exit toward the University of PA sign. South Street will become Spruce Street. Continue on Spruce street until you reach 38th Street, turn right onto 38th. Go up 38th and turn left onto Walnut. The Rotunda will be on your left hand side just after the intersection of 40th and Walnut. You’ll see a Movie Theater on the corner and then the Rotunda. Use the entrance on the left hand side of the Rotunda.

    OR

    Walt Whitman Bridge to 76 West to Exit 346A South Street (old Exit 40). Make a left turn off exit toward the University of PA sign. Follow directions above.

    GET DIRECTIONS FROM GOOGLE MAPS

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor for Free in Baltimore in June

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May 6, 2016

3:10 pm

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Free, Performances

Join us for a special FREE PERFORMANCE of Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor plus a free screening of the film To Kill A Kelpie on Sunday, June 26th, 2016 at the Ideal Arts Space in Baltimore, Maryland.

This event is made possible by a partnership between Stop the Silence® and NAASCA, under the Stop the Silence® Art as Advocacy Program.

Please note: some material may not be appropriate for all audiences.

  • Sun
    26
    Jun
    2016

    Baltimore, MD - Ask (play) + To Kill A Kelpie (film)

    4pm

    Ideal Arts Space, 905 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211

    Free Admission (NO TICKET NEEDED)

    MORE INFO | VENUE | FACEBOOK EVENT

    Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor

    ASK A SEX ABUSE SURVIVOR (play)

    Childhood sexual abuse survivor Michael Broussard's interactive presentation Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor has been widely praised by mental health professionals and survivors alike.

    Clinician Maureen O’Regan of Orleans Psychotherapy Associates said, "I walked away with an understanding of the survivor experience that no book, training, or even my years of work as a therapist could have ever given me".

    Psychologist Margaret D. Sayers called the show "an excellent illustration of the healing power of art and community".

    Survivor and New England Director of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) Dave O’Regan said, "I came away from the performance uplifted, braver, and will always remember Michael’s courage and draw strength from it when needed in my own life."

    Combining first person storytelling with audience interaction and improvisation, Broussard tells his story of survival and healing from abuse, while inviting comments and questions several times throughout the presentation.

    Audience members are encouraged to ask anything, contribute anything, share in any way they see fit. Broussard himself is a walking, talking case study, able to give candid answers to questions about the survivor experience from all stages of his life.

    Broussard has taken Ask a Sex Abuse Survivor as far South as Atlanta, GA and as far North as Brattleboro, VT, and has partnered with the non-profit education, support and advocacy organization Stop the Silence to take the presentation all over the country, through the organization's Arts as Advocacy Program.

    Listen to a radio interview from the show's recent successful East Coast Tour here: http://wkvtradio.com/gmm/ask-a-sex-abuse-survivor/

    TO KILL A KELPIE (film)

    When twin brothers, Dougal and Fin, reunite following the death of their uncle, they share the day they have always hoped would, and would never, happen.

    Retelling his gruesome tales of a child-devouring monster – The Kelpie – the men talk to the wee boys they once were, shedding stoicism and sobriety in an isolated Scottish croft.

    With the rambunctious humor of those who have lived the unlivable, To Kill Kelpie journeys through a family album filled with life shaping events and conflicting memories, deftly handling huge themes and fine details with an equal measure of care. Rich in Scottish culture and mythology, Matthew McVarish’s searingly honest and uplifting script tells a universal story without borders, realized in Poorboy’s trademark engaging, visionary and bold production.

    Written by Matthew McVarish, To Kill Kelpie has been produced in numerous locations inside and outside of the U.S. and was most recently (2013) performed by the Vintage Theater Company in West Virginia. The original Off-Broadway production was directed by Sandy Thomson, and was a Poorboy theatre production co-produced with Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse, Inc. and supported by Creative Scotland in association with The Moira Anderson Foundation. The film version is directed by Edward M Smith.

    PARKING INFO

    Street parking is available around the Ideal Arts Space and on Sundays all parking on "The Avenue" (aka W. 36th Street) is FREE.

    PUBLIC TRANSIT DIRECTIONS

    The 27 Bus stops at 36th and Roland Ave, within a 1 minute walk from the Ideal Arts Space. For public transit directions from your location visit the Maryland Transit Administration website at http://mta.maryland.gov/ and use the Trip Planner in the left-hand menu.

    DRIVING DIRECTIONS

    GET DIRECTIONS FROM GOOGLE MAPS

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor at Penn was a rousing success

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May 4, 2016

1:15 pm

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Colleges, Free, Performances

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor - photo by Sarah R. Bloom

Last night I had the honor of presenting Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor for the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Penn Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and the Penn Department of Psychiatry. The experience was, in a word, amazing.

This was my first time presenting to a largely academic audience and the feedback was revelatory. I learned so much from the questions and comments of medical professionals and students and their feedback drove a performance that delved even deeper than usual into the issues surrounding childhood sexual abuse.

We talked about the importance of parents letting their children know that they could share anything and that their words would be heard and respected. We talked about the family narrative, about examining the entire picture surrounding an abused child, and taking time to address all of that. We talked about Statutes of Limitations reform, healing as an adult through positive relationships, helping the non survivor community to fully understand the survivor experience … and so much more.

It was without a doubt one of the most productive conversations I have ever witnessed at an Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor performance.

I would like to thank Denise LaMarra, Colleen Quinn, and Janice Radway of Penn’s Standardized Patient Program, along with Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Penn, Benoit Dubé, MD for coordinating all the tiny details that went into making this event happen.

I would also like to thank the Director of Penn’s Center for Youth and Family Trauma Response and Recovery, Steven Berkowitz, MD, Clinical Director of the Penn Department of Psychiatry Center for Couples and Adult Families, Jacqueline Hudak, PhD, and Chair in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Cindy Christian, MD, for sitting on the after-show panel. Your wisdom and compassion were truly inspiring.

And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the invaluable support of Rob and Vic from Penn’s A/V department, as well as my own technical director and artistic collaborator, Galen Huggins.

Here’s hoping this is the first of many Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor performances for academic institutions all over the country.

A Free Event for National Child Abuse Prevention Month

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March 18, 2016

11:00 am

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Free

Michael Broussard in Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and in observance we will be presenting a free performance of the interactive show Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor on Sunday, April 24th, 2016 at 3pm at the Adrienne Theatre (Playground), 2030 Sansom Street in Philadelphia. Get more info.

MORE INFO | VENUE | FACEBOOK EVENT

This event is made possible by a partnership between Stop the Silence® and NAASCA, under the Stop the Silence® Arts as Advocacy Program.

Join the Facebook Event.