PAGE 16, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1989 C hild abuse prevention film made By Kim Hawley Pringle Creek Park in Whitby was recently the stage for lights, camera and action on child abuse prevention. Outreach Abuse Prevention of Durham Region has produced a 15-minute film, addressing child abuse prevention, for distribu- tion to day care personnel across Canada. The film, entitled 'The Emperor's Clothes,' is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy- tale 'The Emperor's New Clothes.' Outreach's project is aimed at opening society's eyes to the rea- lbzation thát child abuse, whether it be mental, emotional or physical abuse, happens in every communit and that there is a call for chird abuse preven- tion. Donna Harris, executive direc- tor of Outreach, says, "One thing that happens in the adult com- munity is that we deny that child abuse happens. "And often we don't when a child tells of experiences." listen these In Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale, the people of the king- dom so feared the emperor that when he appeared before his people with no clothes on, they raved at how spectacular was his apparel. It was the honesty of a child that broke the fear. It was the child who had the courage to say, "But he's not wearng any clothes." The film produced by Out- reach, uses the same story line to break the barrier of silence and fear. "Children do speak the truth, and often we don't listen to them," says Harris. Fairy Glen Day Cars, located in the Pringle Creek Plaza, also plays a role in 'The Emperor's Clothes,' setting a stage that is unlike the Victorian stage and that addresses the fear of society: the fear that child abuse is a problem in every community. Again, the moral is that adults need to listen when a child has the courage to speak the truth. The film, which has been financed by Health and Welfare Canada, received strong support from Oshawa Little ~Théâtre, with several actors from across the region giving their time to participate in the filming. "It was very exciting that we were able to work with such professionals," says Harris, who also gives praise to the children of Fairy Glen Day Care, and their parents and teachers, who played the roles in the day care scenes. "They were wonderful to work with." National issue with local focus 'The Emperor's Clothes' will be distributed to all registered day care centres in Canada, and will complement and encourage the use of the organization's nationally distributed Safe and Happy Kit. The Safe and Happy Kit is a teaching tool for peple working in day care centres. It is a proposed vehicle for promoting discussion and opening lines of communication in a strategy for child abuse prevention. Honest, open communication is the central theme of the kit. It teaches respect for communicat. ing feelings between children and adults. It helps children to distiniuish between . states of happiness and sadness, danger and safety, fear and loneliness and acknowledges that it's right for children to say no and to tel] when something bad is happen- ing to them. Outreach's advisory committee . has also reommended the tilm be available for parents of children in the day care program, to be viewed et parent information nights. The 100 community col- leges teaching early childhood education will also be offered the opportunity to use the film. "It's exciting that a national concern has been focused in Dur- ham Region,»says Harris. Actors from Oshawa Litt!e Theatre who participated in the making of the film are: John Green, Maureen Green, Paul leaver, Chris Francom, Edith Dennis, Monique Essegern, Claude Vipond and Laurie Nicholson. The main child in the film is played by Tamara McColl Whitby children and parents taking part in the production were: Laura Yamada, Devin Yamada, Peter Azer, Michael Szwarz, Bradley Taschuk, Lisa Noddle Lindsay Duplessis. Helen James, Chrystal Pearson, Adrianne Pearson, Ragaa Azer, Valerie Tunstall, Janice Sswart6 Gord Taschuk, Jina Tasechuk' Carol James, Paul James and Candice Duplessis. Lori Nicholson, a teacher at Fairy Glen Day Care, and Jus- tine Maw, a day care worker, also gave their time to help make the fil1m. Sometimes it takes the courage of child to make adults stop denying what they know is the truth. Outreach Abuse Prevention of Durham Region has made a film that addresses child abuse, with the theme that children do tell the truth. Pringle Creek Park set the stage for one of the scenes of 'The Emperor's Clothes.' The actors (from left) are Chris Francom, Tamara McColl, Monique Essegern and Claude Vipond. Above, actor John Green looks on as director Hugh McColl peers through the camera to make sure lighting conditions are suitable. Frec Press photo NICOLE BEECHY, 3, helped to instail one of the blocks that that re3resented the early childhood education program s expanded facility that was recentlyopened a.t Durhç CoAege'sA'axcipus. Ssphoto Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year A wards Program * Hannah Schoch, 17, of Scarborough for her leadership through ser- vice to fellow students with special needs and her volunteer support for the larger community. One of the eleven individuals and one group of four, to receive the 1988 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award. The award recipients were either involved in worthwhile community ser- vice, able to overcome physical or psychological limitations or performed acts of heroism. 1989 NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED Ontario Junior Citizens are young people who show initiative, a joint community-project of hard work and concern - young people who reach out to others and do more than is expected CONTACT THIS NEWSPAPER FOR DEaILS of srnene hei ag. 1 CONTACT THIS NEWSPAPER FOR DETAILS of someone their age. NOMINATE A WORTHY YOUNG PERSON TODAY! Every nominee receives a certificate and up to 12 individuals and one.group will be the recipients of a plaque presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, $200.00 and a farnily portrait with the Lieutenant Governor. S4~ * e *â e toi