“In A Town This Size”
Bartlesville, Oklahoma in the 60’s and 70’s was pretty much like every other small town in America. They were family-oriented, church-going people with small town values and it seemed idyllic from the outside looking in. It would be years before they learned there had been a pedophile in their midst for a very long time and no one would ever have suspected it was their friend, their children’s doctor and a trusted member of the community, Dr. Bill Dougherty.
Photographer, artist and documentary filmmaker Patrick V. Brown, himself abused by “Dr. Bill”, takes us on a painful, yet hopeful journey from darkness to light with his extraordinary and thoughtful award-winning film, In A Town This Size. His film shares with us how Dr. Bill used his position of trust and authority to become a notorious child predator and why he has never been and will most likely never be prosecuted for his crimes. Patrick lets us hear from the victims themselves (some of whom asked to have their identities protected), his own parents and parents of other victims. We see the path of destruction left in the wake of this tragic series of events. More importantly, we learn how critical it is not to simply listen to what our children are telling us, but to truly hear them with our hearts. No one can see this film, hear Patrick’s story and not walk away somehow changed for the better.
You can visit Patrick’s website by clicking here and order the film on DVD or blue-ray here. Portions of the proceeds from the DVD and BluRay sales go to benefit non-profit child advocacy organizations. This is the story of a child who was a victim and the man who found his voice and used it to begin the healing. We do hope you’ll join us for this incredibly powerful conversation. Make a difference and invite a friend to listen in as well. We stop this epidemic and change the way the law approaches this issue, one person at a time. The friend you invite may be the soul that begins to heal.
As always, we’ll end the show with our special commentary and take on the political events of the day.
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I would never of let a doctor especially a male dr take my child to examine him alone sounds extremely odd that a mother would allow it Very very very very strange don’t care how trusting Have to blame the parents one this one sorry to whom don’t agree.
I know what you are saying Shannon and in this day and age, I would not allow anyone to take my child to a closed room. However, this was done in the 70’s as far as I remember. I am about the same age as these patients. Back in those times, these types of pedophile acts were not publicized. People still trusted everyone. Since then, there has been so much publicity with the church’s, boy scouts, doctors, etc.. molesting children, that people have definitely had a change of heart on who they trust. I was molested as a child on more than one occasion by more than one man. I never told my parents. but back in those days, parents tended to believe other adults. so children stayed quiet. Everyone wants to blame someone in situations like this. However I do not believe it was the parents fault. that is like blaming the kids for not telling anyone since they weren’t threatened. It doesn’t make sense. the person at fault is the Dr in this case. He should not be allowed to live freely. that statute of limitations is B.S. People of sexual abuse suffer emotionally for far longer than the statute of limitations. And many times it takes decades before a victim can come to terms with this abuse and able to talk about it. thats where it needs to change. There should not be a statute of limitations on sexual abuse, especially when there are this many people coming forward with information. I hope all of them are able to find closure and peace in their lives. Its not an easy thing to live with.
my husband and i just got finished watching the movie you made……….so very sad to see the impact that the ‘dr’ had in these peoples lives….my husband was sexually abused when he was young and he shared the same feelings as the adults in the movie…it was a good movie for him to watch…..but, i cannot believe that that doctor still lives in the same place, and no action towards him has been taken…..i also felt so sorry for the parents of the children, as you can see the guilt that they carry…but i thought is was a very good movie, and very well made……thank you so very much for making the movie, it carnt have been easy…….karen and anthony hosein……thank you again
It’s one thing that the molestation victims’ parents allowed this to occur and didn’t do anything at the time, the bigger, more troubling aspect is the indecency of the parents and family friends that this guy had been allowed to still live in the area and no one has taken care of the situation outside of the legal system letting him get away with it. What kind of people are these? They are worse than the abuser. To feel sorry for the parents, the people that SHOULD carry the shame.
Couldn’t of said it better myself! AMEN!
Obviously, you didn’t get the true message of the film…the parents didn’t “allow” this…they were duped and somewhat shaded by the inability of this society to accept that “people” who molest children are masters at what they do which is to deception! Child molesters are the “pillars” of the community and are master manipulators. I guess its easier to blame the parents than blame the society that values “uber” competent professionals …unfortunately, molesters do not present themselves with a scarlet letter.
Institutions, however that have credible knowledge of a persons pedophilia tendencies…and do not make that knowledge available to parents or attempt to “pay” victims off are far more culpable. Knowledge is power and as for the judicial system…society needs to take a long, hard look at itself. The current paradigm, without direct proof which is often times unavailable, (these crimes take place in privacy) makes removing these “soul” destroyers very difficult to prosecute. You want proof when often times there is none…and yet you’re the first to attack innocent people for not doing enough…Really sad …this sort of “evil” wreaks havoc on families and yet once again, you’re content to play the blame game…
Very compelling story. It has the potential to save kids from the kind of pain suffered by the victims of this doctor. Hope you can join us.