Our Story

Two years ago producer and director Tracey Quezada became an advocate for her niece after learning she was sexually abused. In her search to find healing and available resources for her, she spoke to many people including social workers, child protective services, police officers, teachers, therapists and child advocates. Tracey quickly learned that the current child welfare system and authorities were not able to address child sexual abuse (CSA) effectively � due to sparse resources.

In her search she found extraordinary people dedicated to ending child sexual abuse.  These individuals and organizations are working to build change at the community level, increase knowledge about specific policies that need to change to move forward, prevention, and healing techniques, along with workshops that offer completely new approaches in addressing CSA.  

As a filmmaker, Tracey was immediately inspired to produce "You and Me and the Fruit Trees," a character driven documentary that interweaves compelling stories of child sexual abuse CSA, statistical facts and the people behind the movement to end CSA to provide a balance view of this endemic. Through each story we see how societys inability to effectively address child sexual abuse impacts not only individuals, but whole communities and society at large. You can learn more about the film on the website:  http://www.youandmeandthefruittrees.com/?page_id=43

Tracey Quezada Productions is a television and film production company that highlights stories of women and children in marginalized communities. Through media advocacy Tracey Quezada Productions increases awareness of underserved populations with the goal to inspire policy makers to create change and everyday people to identify ways to offer their resources.

The Impact

The purpose of the film is to create impact locally and nationally by producing a film that successfully combines compelling stories with an argument for change, addresses the issues surrounding child sexual abuse and presents awareness and solutions. The film explores the current child welfare system and offers a new approach and raises more questions than answers about our current child welfare system, the social norms that stigmatize CSA and what could be done to prevent and end CSA. Below are a few issues the film discusses and is pushing to change:

• Evidentiary Laws- the proof you need to prove someone sexually abused a child
• New models: the film introduces new models to effectively address CSA. We will hear about these models through the experts in the film
• Social norms that allow child sexual abuse to grow
• Breaking the stigma that feeds the silence and stops people from effectively addressing child sexual abuse
  

The information provided in the film should be readily available to the public. Each year 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before age 18, according to Center for Disease Control. Each year the current child welfare system fails these vulnerable children and many children remain silent. Through each story shared and expert testimony, the film will provide a new model for effectively addressing CSA. We have also taken the model and incorporated it in our campaign strategy.

�Imagine a disease that affects one in three girls and one in seven boys* before they reach 18; a disease that can cause severe misconduct disorders among those exposed can have profound implications for future health by increasing the risk of problems such as substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and suicidal behavior; a disease that replicates itself by causing some of its victims to expose future generations. Imagine what we would do. We would spare no expense. We would invest in research. We would identify those affected and treat them. We would broadly implement prevention campaigns to protect our children. Wouldn't we? Such a disease does exist�it's called child sexual abuse.� James Mercy, M.D., Centers for Disease Control.

You and Me and the Fruit Trees is part of the movement to end child sexual abuse. Join the movement and show your support by making a donation today!

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