Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1330

Tonight's special guest is Joe Capozzi from New York City, a survivor of child abuse and writer / producer of "Confession" a film made based on the experiences of his sexual abuse by a clergy member. "For over twenty years I kept private what I knew to be true," Joe explains. "Our family priest, Father Pete, my mentor, was also my abuser. This secret, which I vowed to keep quiet as to not upset anyone, grew into a loud inner torment whose voice became my worst enemy." As an adult, Joe was triggered when he witnessed Father Pete’s interaction with a young boy, and it spurred him into action. "It was like looking into the mirror," Joe says. "At that moment I realized I was not the only one. He would abuse again." He was unemployed, had a pending divorce and on the verge of suicide, but, he writes, "revealing this secret would not only allow for my healing but would save a young boy from experiencing the same fate. As I started to share my secret with family and friends, I was immediately hit with the many questions of why?" Fortunately he had therapy and he had his art. "A trained actor but far from a writer, I was encouraged by my acting teacher, the late George Dicenzo. He challenged me to share my story. To stand in front of people and tell my truth. He knew the healing power of art. And with his push I started going through an old journal, piecing together memories and images that have never left me." The result was the Off-Broadway play he wrote, 'For Pete’s Sake,' and now 'Confession' the movie.