Male sexual abuse and violence, which often gets brushed under the carpet due to a prevailing culture of extreme shame associated with it, is now being articulated through two award winning plays touring India.
"The Tricky Part" and "All the Rage" - solo plays by American author and writer Martin Moran, which focus on sexual abuse of the male child, is set to be shown here for two days beginning November 15.
Actress Poorna Jagannathan, who earlier this year had produced 'Nirbhaya', a play on crimes against women featuring celebrities like hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani, is also producing the two plays based on Moran's own real life experiences.
The author offers a firsthand perspective on sexual abuse in the plays crafted by director Seth Barrish.
"Today every one in two boys is sexually abused in India. That means half of all boys in India are exposed to an unwanted sexual interaction. It's mind-boggling. But the culture of extreme shame surrounding male sexual abuse prevents survivors from seeking help or healing," says Jagannathan.
Pointing out that most times it is internalised and cycles of abuse just continue, the "Delhi Belly" actress says she hopes the plays can "pry open a difficult yet vital conversation."
"I strongly believe that ending sexual violence against boys is one of the keys to ending the cycles of violence," says Jagannathan.
