The following post is the first in a new series from 1in6, which will appear every Thursday here on the Joyful Heart Blog. This series will feature information and commentary about engaging men who are survivors of unwanted or abusive sexual experiences to live healthier, happier lives.

On September 28, 2011, five weeks before the Penn State story would dominate news and sports pages, NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit aired "Personal Fouls," a groundbreaking episode on sexual abuse of boys in sports.

For viewers of the original airing, "Personal Fouls" was a remarkable prelude to, and preparation for, the revelations of November: the detailed charges against Jerry Sandusky, the institutional complicity that allowed it to continue for years, and the individual courage that, when backed by family and community support, can bring such tragedies to an end.

The episode, which has a great script and made great TV, is an enlightening window into the sexual abuse of boys by powerful coaches—and its lasting effects in the lives of men. Betrayal. Secrecy. Shame. Fearing you’re not a "real man," then going overboard to prove you are. These and other lasting harms, struggled with by so many men, are movingly portrayed exchanges like this one:

Detective Amaro: You ever tell anybody?

Stevie shakes his head.

Amaro: Why not?

Stevie: Coach Ed was like an old friend of the family—like an uncle. And he said he could get me a scholarship, you know? D-one. I help him, he helps me. It was our secret.

Amaro: When did he stop abusing you?

Stevie: Man, I must’ve been about 15. There were other kids he liked better—think I just got too old. It’s funny, but that’s when I really started falling apart, getting high. After he stopped…

Detective Fin: Some things don’t really hit you until they’re over.

The first airing of ‘Personal Fouls’ prepared many to receive more fully, with greater understanding and compassion, the Penn State and Syracuse stories.  Now, with those stories off the media’s radar, its re-airing is a great public service too. Again, it deeply moves viewers with realistic stories of men who are among the 1 in 6 sexually abused as boys. Again, it educates viewers, not only on some key realities of this issue, but on television’s potential to do justice to the sexual abuse of boys and its lasting effects in lives of boys, men and their families. If you missed the show, you can watch it free, with a viewer guide.

As a founding board member of 1in6, who works with like-minded others to bring this still-taboo issue into the light and to help sexually abused boys and men live happier and healthier lives, I extend our heartfelt thanks to NBC and toeveryone at Law & Order: SVU and the Joyful Heart Foundation.

--By Jim Hopper, Founding Board Member, 1in6.

The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives.

1in6's mission also includes serving family members, friends, and partners by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community.

Joyful Heart and 1in6 invite you to visit 1in6.org for info, options and hope, and to learn more about our partnership and Engaging Men initiative at men.joyfulheartfoundation.org.

The views expressed above are not necessarily those of the Joyful Heart Foundation or 1in6.