DUBOIS – Students at Penn State DuBois hope a short film will help reduce the number of Statutory Sexual Assault cases in the region. Created and produced by Penn State DuBois students, Changing Attitudes toward Adolescent Sexuality features interviews with judges, district attorneys, victims and people who have been convicted of sexual assault. It will be distributed to area school districts and family service organizations.
“The project was designed to give both parents and teens the facts and information on this crime so they can protect themselves and understand the consequences,” says writer, editor and producer, Jesse Farley. Farley, who is interested in film making as a career, volunteered to take on the technical and artistic responsibilities for the project. “Hopefully, this film will start discussions on the topic in classrooms and among parents and really do what the title suggests,” he says.
The idea for the film project was formed in a Counselor Education Course taught by instructor and practicing psychologist Bill Allenbaugh. Through his practice, Allenbaugh regularly counsels people affected by sexual assault. He says education is a key to the prevention of these crimes, and that this film could serve as an excellent educational tool. “Kids can be so naive, and if we can just let them know about this stuff, we can help them prevent it,” Allenbaugh said.
Jefferson County Judge John Foradora and Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett were both interviewed for the film, and were both in the audience during a premier screening on campus.
“I am really appreciative of this film because I fully believe this crime needs to be addressed,” said Burkett. “Unfortunately it’s a crime that people often minimize, as if there’s no real harm. In reality this is very real and has done real harm to victims and families.”
