By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County

I started this blog four and a half years ago with the intention of providing insights into child abuse through the lens of a professional career in child protection that spanned several decades. 

Somewhere along the way the focus or lens shifted and got blurred with my personal mom experiences.  Today is one of those times where that line gets very blurry, but I feel like there is a conversation that must be had. 

So here it goes.

I recently took my nine-year-old to the movies and as we watched the previews, we planned which movies we would make sure to see.  Some of them were a for sure for him and not me.  Others were a for sure for me and not so much for him, but the one movie we both really thought would be a can’t miss movie was Show Dogs.  It seemed perfect.  We both love dogs.  It looked funny.  There was a story line that seemed like it would keep our attention.

Then this week I read more about the movie.  There was a scene in which one of the dogs was getting prepared for “Show” competition which included his privates being touched.  This seemed to happen a couple of times and his friend advised him to go to his “Zen” place and it basically shows the main character dissociating . 

There was an outcry from some parents and a blogger.  It was pointed out that this was a little too real to be okay.  There were concerns about taking children to see this with the message being it is okay if someone sexually abuses you if you go to your “happy” place and think of things that make you feel good.

I will be honest that the first couple of “headlines” I skipped over.  When a friend on Facebook posted some comments, I will be honest again, I sort of did an eye roll in that it was asking people to boycott the movie.  In this day where everyone is boycotting something, I just did not want to “have” to choose a side and so I skipped it.

And then one of my friends and a CAC Board member sent me the link: https://foreverymom.com/arts-entertainment/dog-show-movie-review-grooming/  I stopped and read it.

I actually did not think it was true.  In the “Me Too” age surely there is not one person who has not got the message that we are tired of power and control turning into sexual abuse.  I checked it out further and found that it was true.

As I processed the information I was reading with what I know about child sexual abuse dynamics, I was disheartened and a little depressed that we have come so far and not far at all.  There has been a whirlwind of sexual abuse disclosures, investigations, civil law suits, criminal prosecutions and sentencings playing out on the national stage.  It seemed like, in my mind anyway, that “Show Dogs” was Hollywood basically saying they don’t care.  Basically, rubbing our noses in the fact that they have control and can do whatever they want.

Today, I was researching a little more in preparation for writing this blog.  I was delighted to see that they took the scene out of the movie.  The movie that will be in the theatres this weekend will not have the scene in it. 

I was disheartened at the released statement.  There was an apology.  Sort of.

“Responding to concerns raised by moviegoers and some specific organizations, Global Road Entertainment has decided to remove two scenes from the film SHOW DOGS that some have deemed not appropriate for children.

The company takes these matters very seriously and remains committed to providing quality entertainment for the intended audiences based on the film’s rating. We apologize to anybody who feels the original version of SHOW DOGS sent an inappropriate message. The revised version of the film will be available for viewing nationwide starting this weekend.”

I read the above statement and think…Huh.  They apologize to anybody who feels the original version of Show Dogs sent an inappropriate message.  That implies to me that they do not feel it was an inappropriate message.  It leaves me still feeling a little angry. 

I am angry because my son really wants to see this movie.  They took out the “offensive” scenes.  It should be fine to let him see it.  Right?  Why am I still angry?  Why am I still wondering about whether I want to pay money to watch a movie where someone thought it was okay to re write the original script to include sexual abuse.  Do I take the moral high ground and stand on my convictions?  Do I punish my son by not letting him see it even though now it is deemed appropriate?  

I am angry that I am left with having to sort this out when really it could have been a good movie—a fun afternoon with my nine-year-old.  Now, no matter what changes have been made, I will not be able to get past the idea that someone thought it was a good idea to write sexual abuse in.  I feel dirty.  I feel like someone was testing the waters of what is okay and acceptable. 

What does it take to change the tide?  Bill Cosby was convicted.  America’s Dad convicted.  Was that not enough of a message that forced sexual contact will not be tolerated?  Was the tide of the “Me Too” movement not enough to make social change? 

I suspect I will not see the movie.  I suspect there are those who think I am overreacting.  That is okay. 

For me I need to know, to the best of my knowledge and ability, that the money my husband and I work so hard to earn is not going to end up in the hands of someone who wants to teach children when someone touches their private parts to go find their “Zen” place. 

In my world, there is not one situation where someone would think this is okay. 

In my world, the production company issues a statement apologizing for their error in judgement — not apologizing that some people found their messaging in appropriate.  Maybe I am making too big a deal out of semantics. 

On the flip side of this situation, I am so thankful for the Macaroni Kid for bringing this to the attention of moms everywhere.  I am also thankful to receive confirmation that moms are the “game changers”. 

Moms – every day, regular, moms can change the world.