'19 Kids and Counting' News: TLC Uses Josh Duggar Sexual Abuse Issue to Launch 'Breaking Silence'; Jill Duggar, Jessa Duggar to Aid Victims Move On

Aug 14, 2015 03:03 AM EDT

The scandal that rocked the "19 Kids and Counting" staff and crew - the one which subsequently led to the cancellation of one of TLC's most widely watched TV shows - will now be utilized as a stepping stone to shedding light to such a sensitive situation. Following the announcement that the network decided to cancel and halt the airing of all episodes featuring the Duggar family, TLC now comes forward with an initiative to contribute to the cause - that is, to pitch in the achievement of awareness and expansion of knowledge when it comes to issues of sexual abuse.

Partnering with Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) and other organizations dedicated to eradicating such horrendous situation in society and helping the victims, TLC announced that the network will air a documentary specially made in response to these issues.

"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," stated TLC in a press release regarding the project via E Online. The documentary is titled "Breaking Silence" and will be aired on August 30, 2015 at 10 pm on TLC. The Sunday program will be featured without commercial interruptions.

According to reports, the "19 Kids and Counting stars will be involved in this project in the form of interviews and discussions with Jessa Duggar, who is now married to Ben Seewald, and Jill Duggar, who is the wife of Derick Dillard. Both Duggar women are identified as victims of the child molestation accusation against another "19 Kids and Counting" star, Josh Duggar, while he was only 15. TLC aims to use "Breaking Silence" as a vehicle to give the public a glimpse of how victims of child sexual abuse deal with the pain and humiliation as well as the manner by which these people managed to recover. In addition, the TLC show will provide information on how victims could seek help to prevent further suffering.

"In the first phase of this initiative, TLC will work closely with both groups and with the Duggar family on a one-hour documentary that will include Jill and Jessa and other survivors and families that have been affected by abuse," announced TLC in a separate press release issued earlier this year. This announcement came in the heels of the public clamor calling for the network to make an effort to deal with the situation involving the "19 Kids and Counting" family.

According to TLC, "Breaking Silence" will move to get rid of the "silent epidemic" that leaves the victims unable to openly and honestly discuss and share the horrors they suffered from the hands of their abusers. The network that aired "19 Kids and Counting" also disclosed that the United States has recorded at least 42 million "survivors" of such abuse. Hence, the show that stemmed from Josh Duggar's indiscretions aim to give these victims a voice and hopefully, provide a safe and healthy platform to resolve the issue.

The "19 Kids and Counting" stars will participate in "Breaking Silence" by discussing ways to identify and recognize the telling signs that child abuse might be happening in one's home. Apart from this, Jill Duggar and her sister, Jessa Duggar, will attempt to provide first-hand experiences on how to get over the issue and move on from the abuse.