PLAYGROUND - The Documentary

Do Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore Share PLAYGROUND Passion?

Staff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:38:35 +0000

We think so–passion so strong they hardly have the words to articulate.

Watch this video clip of Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore talking to Lisa Ling in January 2009 about child sexual exploitation in the U.S., and suggesting that maybe they’ve seen PLAYGROUND (@ the 2:26 point)… and that they have an awareness about Atlanta (@ the 3:23 point). But have they seen PLAYGROUND in Atlanta? Maybe you’re one of those 3,000,000+ Twitter followers who can let them know it will be screening here on October 20, 2009…

They and you are invited to attend, learn more and join the conversation. Immediately following the PLAYGROUND Atlanta premiere, a film Q&A will take place during which what’s being done to address commercial sexual exploitation of children in metro Atlanta—and all of Georgia—will be discussed.

Like Ashton and Demi, perhaps you’ll be moved to pledge to do something about it.

Sanford “Sammy” Jones – Champion for Children

Staff — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:29:58 +0000

The PLAYGROUND documentary’s Atlanta premiere would not have been possible had it not been for the beloved Judge Sanford “Sammy” Jones (1952 -2009). This event is occurring in his honor, a “thank you” for the work he put into supporting the film while he served as a judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court—granting the filmmakers access to the CSEC facts, figures and fighters in Atlanta. Judge Jones committed his life to putting the needs of children first. He will never be forgotten.

In support of two event-related projects near and dear to his heart, General and Student PLAYGROUND ticket sale proceeds will benefit CEASE, and proceeds from the VIP PLAYGROUND ticket sales will benefit The Sanford “Sammy” Jones Memorial Playground.

Thanks, Sammy.

What is CSEC?

Staff — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:04:26 +0000

CSEC, the subject around which PLAYGROUND is filmed, is short for ‘Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children’. It is more commonly known as ‘child prostitution’.

CSEC occurs when children under the age of 18 are sexually exploited entirely or primarily for financial or other economic gain. CSEC includes any sexual act for profit. As a result of this exploitation, second parties benefit from the sexual activity with the child, either by making a profit, or through a quid pro quo arrangement – an agreement to receive something in return for the sexual act.

Children are victims of these crimes. They don’t deserve to be treated or labeled as offenders.

CSEC is also known as:

DMST – Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

CSEM – Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Minors

The Center to End Adolescent Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) is a direct service program of the Juvenile Justice Fund that delivers an array of assessment, placement, treatment, education, and advocacy services and activities to help CSEC victims.

CEASE services are designed to help girls in the Atlanta metro area, primarily Fulton County, who have been commercially sexually exploited. CEASE also provides intervention services for girls at risk for commercial sexual exploitation.

General and Student PLAYGROUND ticket sale proceeds for the PLAYGROUND premiere in Atlanta will benefit CEASE. For more details on the Center’s work, click here.

PLAYGROUND Fact: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Steven Soderbergh Connection

Staff — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:47:48 +0000

Do you know what George Clooney,

Grant Heslov

and Steven Soderbergh

all have in common?

Lots! But what’s of most importance to us is that they each had a hand in executive producing the documentary film, PLAYGROUND, and we say thank you. PLAYGROUND will have its Atlanta (*ahem* Soderbergh was born here) premiere on the evening of October 20, 2009 at the Woodruff Arts Center. Everyone is invited to attend. Even executive producers…