Matthew McVarish, Scottish actor, playwright and musician, European Ambassador for the organization "Stop the Silence: Stop Child Sexual Abuse" has been promoting a walk through 32 European capitals, an awareness campaign against sexual abuse of minors. The campaign is entitled "Road to Change: Walk to Stop the Silence (RTC)", and arrives in Portugal in the week of 26 November to 3 December.
As part of this effort to spread this message in Portugal, Mathew and the team, accompanied by Ambassador British Kirsty Hayes, will perform a walk along the riverside area of Belém in Lisbon from 14h15 on Thursday 27 November, a journey beginning at the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (near the Museu da Electricidade-Alcantara).
This 20 month event began in London on May 31st 2013. The purpose of the program is to raise awareness about and catalyze action on child sexual abuse (CSA), build solidarity and partnerships between organizations and communities, support survivors, and influence social and political change. Meetings are being held with high level politicians, university departments, local survivors, agencies, celebrities, and the media.
The World Health Organisation statistics state 1 in 5 people across the world will be sexually abused before they are 18 years old, impacting more than 100,000,000 people across Europe.
Since 31st May 2013 Matthew has walked over 12,000km from London around the EU via Athens. He is currently walking to Lisbon from Madrid, having already walked through the Alps and the Pyrenees, due to arrive on NOvember 26th to continue the good work; meeting with policy makers, MPs and NGOs.
The Road to Change will end in Edinburgh February 2015 over approximately 20 months. It will pass through the capital cities of 29 European Union member states, including the four nations of the United Kingdom as well as Geneva, Switzerland.
About Matthew McVarish
Matthew is a published writer, playwright and musician, an activist, the European Ambassador for Stop the Silence, an advisor to the Board of the MAF in Scotland, and a survivor of CSA.
Matthew has performed in TV, theatre and radio for eight years, appearing daily in BBC’s children’s TV show ‘Me Too!’ in the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Matthew walked the West Highland Way to raise funds for the original ‘Kelpie’ production, then 124 miles across the Pyrenees – Barcelona to Perpignan – which raised £3000 for Stop the Silence and created the pilot project for RTC.
About 'To Kill A Kelpie'
In 2008, Matthew, inspired by the work of Stop the Silence, wrote ‘To Kill a Kelpie’, about twin brothers who are survivors of CSA and the psychological devastation it left with them. It is set on the day they finally share their secret with each other.
Following its sell-out run in Glasgow, Matthew and his brothers finally spoke together about their experience and, with the help of the MAF, proceeded with legal action against their uncle, leading to a conviction and prison sentence.
In 2011 and 2012, Stop the Silence brought ‘Kelpie’ on tour through the USA, including Off Broadway (with support from Creative Scotland and as a part of Tartan Week), as a part of a community-based model focused on awareness, education and training. The film version of ‘Kelpie,’ directed by award-winning director Edward M. Smith, one of Matthew’s brothers, allows for international programming with the film. More information at www.tokillakelpie.com.
About Stop the Silence
An international, charitable organization working with individuals, companies, universities, and community and faith-based groups in various locations, to expose and stop CSA and help survivors heal worldwide: Stop the Silence, P.O. Box 127, Glenn Dale, MD 20769, USA, www.stopthesilence.org.
If you would like to make a donation to this project please go to:
W: www.roadtochange.eu
Twitter: @RoadToChangeEU
Facebook: 'Road To Change'
For more information please visit:
W: www.stopthesilence.org | http://roadtochange.eu
The RTC is being supported by and benefits the programs and services of STS in partnership with the Moira Anderson Foundation (MAF) in Scotland, the National Center Protection Training Center in the U.S., other organizations, Matthew himself, and other individuals.
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