Mark Ruffalo is supporting his friend, Anthony Edwards, after the “Top Gun” actor penned an emotional letter detailing the sexual molestation he suffered as a child at the hands of producer Gary Goddard.
The “Thor: Ragnarok” actor tweeted on Friday:
In his open letter, which describes not only the sexual abuse he and his friends went through when they were 14 years old, but the long-lasting effects the trauma has had on Edwards as an adult.
“My vulnerability was exploited. I was molested by Goddard, my best friend was raped by him — and this went on for years,” he writes, explaining that though his mother confronted him about Goddard’s rumoured pedophilia, he denied it at the time. His open letter on Medium is entitled, “Yes Mom, There Is Something Wrong”.
For Edwards, the abuse stayed with him through to adulthood. “Only after I was able to separate my experience, process it, and put it in its place could I accept this truth: My abuse may always be with me, but it does not own me,” he writes, explaining that he has been lucky enough to have had therapy to discuss his abuse. “I have been so fortunate to have had access to therapy and fellow survivors. Shame can thrive easily when we are isolated, but it loses its power when people come together to share their common experiences.”
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Four years ago, Edwards writes, he ran into Goddard at an airport and confronted him, bringing the memory and his rage flooding back. With the help of a therapist, the actor, at 51, was finally able to have the conversation with his mother that he couldn’t have as a young teenager.
“By processing my anger in a safe place with a professional, I was finally able to have the conversation that I wish I could have had with my mom when I was 14,” he writes, adding that he has learned he’s “not alone” when it comes to being a victim of sexual abuse.
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“One in six men have an abusive sexual experience before they turn 18. Secrecy, shame, and fear are the tools of abuse, and it is only by breaking the stigma of childhood sexual abuse that we can heal, change attitudes, and create safer environments for our children,” Edwards says, explaining the need to break the stigma of childhood sexual abuse. “Right now, there are children and adults who want to talk. Right now, there are people who have witnessed this kind of abuse but don’t know how to help. Right now, there are millions of victims who believe that the abuse they experienced was somehow their fault.”
“I did not go from being a victim to a survivor alone. No one does. I had to ask for help, and I am so grateful that I did,” he concludes.
Following Edwards’ allegations, a rep for Goddard categorically denies all the actor’s clams, releasing the following statement:
“I am responding on behalf of producer and writer Gary Goddard to allegations posted and made today by actor Anthony Edwards on the website Medium,” reads the statement.
“Gary first met Anthony more than 40 years ago. Gary was a mentor, teacher and a friend to Anthony, which makes this story all the more disturbing to him. As to the allegations that Mr. Edwards made in his post today, I can unequivocally deny them on Gary’s behalf,” the statement continues.
“Gary played an important role in helping start Anthony’s acting career and acted as his personal manager. He has nothing but the greatest respect for Anthony as a person. Gary is saddened by the false allegations,” reads the statement, which concludes: “The post by Anthony, as well as many of the news stories today reference a legal claim made against Gary approximately four years ago regarding sexual harassment. The complaint was demonstrated to be fraudulent as it was completely fabricated, and ultimately withdrawn by the complainant and his attorneys.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is involved in an abusive situation, please visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for help. They are also reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
