Content warning: This article and video contains discussion of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
Melbourne band Catholic Guilt return today with a video for their powerful track The Awful Truth and we here at theMusic.com.au have the exclusive premiere.
Speaking to The Music, frontman Brenton Harris said, "The clip, [directed, edited and produced by Lachlan Burns] much like the song itself is intended to show the dichotomy between the bright happy message that the church presents and the awful, sinister truth that often lies beneath that facade.
"We feel that the delivery of such dark, honest truths via bright pop/rock-influenced major key melodies, accompanied by the stark contrasting visuals of the black and white and colour splash treatments of the clip, comes together nicely to really hammer that message home."
It's a song the band have "felt compelled to write for quite some time".
"Far too often the discussion regarding institutionalised cover-up of sexual abuse by religious organisations carries with it a harmful narrative of doubting or blaming the victim, with many of the loudest voices going to great lengths [to] defend the perpetrators of the abuse, instead of seeking truth and justice for the victims," Harris shared.
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"Whether this is some kind of misguided or misconstrued display of faith, or something much much worse, the victim blaming is incredibly destructive to both the victims themselves and to other victims seeking justice for the crimes committed against them.
"The reality is the truth is awful: there is a documented widespread cover-up of institutionalised sexual abuse throughout the Catholic Church, in Australia and abroad. It is our view that those that knowingly help cover-up that abuse must be held accountable for their actions, just as those that commit that abuse must be."
The video will be launched Friday 28 June at Grace Darling Basement with the band donating a portion of the proceeds to SECASA (South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault).
"We decided to support SECASA with the launch, as a couple of us have had personal experience with them as an organisation and we wholeheartedly believe in the work that they do to help and support victim/survivors of abuse," Harris said.
"We also support their mission to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, sexual assault and family violence through individual and social change."
Tickets for the show are on sale now. Scroll down to theGuide for all the details.
