A NEW INDEPENDENT FILM HIGHLIGHTS ONE FAMILY'S HEALING
APPLETON, WI / ACCESSWIRE / September 10, 2021 / The 2020 National Crime Victimization Survey shows only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to the police. That means more than 2 out of 3 go unreported.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) reports that approximately 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime. When the assault is not reported, the stress victims experience may be substantially higher.
The harrowing stories of sexual assault victims are frequently portrayed in film and television. Most productions highlight the victim's point of view. While this is important, author and filmmaker Leah Brown, president of Melody of Imagination, LLC, says sexual assault is also a family issue, and the family story needs to be told.
Research shows sexual assault crimes affect victims' families. A 2014 study by the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics on the Socio-emotional Impact of Violent Crime states 37% of victims of a sexually violent crime experience problems with family and friends, including getting into arguments more frequently than before, and feeling like they can't trust their family and friends, or not feeling as close to them as before the crime.
Melody of Imagination, LLC, is developing Brown's popular novel, Wanders Pass, for an independent feature-length film. The project documents a family's struggle to come to terms with the shame, guilt, and despair brought on by an unreported sexual assault.
Brown, who writes directly from personal experience, wants to be certain that this side of the story is told. "While the whole family is suffering, what is conventionally done is to not talk about it. Families will keep things like this a secret and go on as if nothing happened. Because of this, true healing cannot take place."
Melody of Imagination, LLC, says Wanders Pass will benefit from the principles of Cinema Therapy, a therapeutic process in which clients and therapists use themes and characters in popular films to discuss core issues of ongoing therapy. The goal is to help people make connections with the issues in their lives.
Brown says, "I hope that by seeing this film, that people who are dealing with similar problems can relate to my characters and may find solutions and healing." There is already positive feedback on the work in progress, and Brown believes the company is moving in the right direction to produce artistic works that center on family issues. "I hope our work can spark conversations and advocate for change on a wide scale."
ABOUT MELODY OF IMAGINATION, LLC
Melody of Imagination, LLC, uses multiple forms of creative arts to produce media that will inspire healing and positive change. Founder and president Leah Brown is the author and director of the novel Wanders Pass, currently in development for a feature film. She is also an accomplished voiceover artist and has trained with Disney casting director Sara Jane Sherman. She won first place in the Industry Network's 2017 Voiceover Competition. For more information, visit the Facebook page or head to melodyofimagination.com.
CONTACT:
Leah Brown
715-459-7517
[email protected]
SOURCE: Melody of Imagination, LLC