“TLC has been especially concerned for the victims in this situation, including the Duggar family, and it is our hope that this effort will help those in need learn where to turn for information and help”, the network wrote in a statement on their website. Despite cancelling their hit show, 19 Kids and Counting, the network still has plans for a documentary about child sexual abuse awareness that will feature both Jessa and Jill, who admitted recently to being victims of sexual abuse at the hands of older brother, Josh Duggar.
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On the other, it means she has to drop her threatened lawsuit, and the long consideration time the network gave The Duggars shows that there was a double standard for their highest rated show.
The cancellation isn’t that much of a shocker, given the show’s been in limbo for the last few weeks, while Josh Duggar’s recently revealed molestations of his sisters – incidents that occurred while he was a minor-age child – played out in the press.
TLC is partnering with Darkness to Light, whose mission is providing interested parties with techniques for protecting children from sexual abuse, and RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), which describes itself as the nation’s largest anti-sexual-violence organization.
“We took it as an opportunity to step further than just ‘How do we protect ourselves?’ and step into ‘How do we protect our audience and protect children?'” Kaplan explained.
The allegations against Josh Duggar, the oldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, surfaced in May.
It was previously learned in May that four victims were part of the Duggar family and one was a babysitter. “The recent attention around the Duggars has sparked a critical and important conversation about child protection”. They also thanked their fans and said they pray that the “painful situation our family went through many years ago can point people toward faith in God” and help others who have experienced a similar situation.
“We anticipate this will be a long-term partnership with them”, Kaplan said. After going back and forth several times on what the future of the show would be, TLC ultimately decided that its advertisers and viewers will never be able to see the Duggar family in the same light again.
One example: “I Am Jazz”, a sensitive, illuminating unscripted series about transgender teen Jazz Jennings and her close-knit family.
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So what does Mama June have to say about the 19 Kids getting canned? “We have always responded, ‘It’s not a show, it’s our lives!'”.
