An all-new ‘Private Practice’ episode returns tonight, February 2nd, on ABC. Per a January 31st ABC Press Release and the show's Facebook page, actress KaDee Strickland, who plays Dr. Charlotte King, will host a live Twitter chat tonight during the show’s West Coast broadcast from 10:02-11:00 PM PT.
In the intense new episode ‘The Time Has Come’ Sheldon (Brian Benben) counsels a friend of Sam (Taye Diggs) who is a veteran and suffers from PTSD. The character, Rick, also suffered a sexual assault and is harboring the secret.
Last season, Dr. Charlotte King suffered a brutal workplace rape. KaDee Strickland and ‘Private Practice’ Creator Shonda Rhimes partnered with RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) to ensure accuracy in telling Charlotte’s story.
Strickland went on to become a strong advocate for RAINN and sexual assault survivors and currently serves as a member of RAINN's National Leadership Council. She received a PRISM AWARD from the EIC (Entertainment Industries Council) last April for her work on the storyline. And, Strickland and Rhimes both received a Hope Award in Washington, DC in November, 2010.
The Hope Award recognized their effort in educating the public about sexual assault prevention and recovery, as well as their volunteer work for RAINN. In a previously reported Examiner exclusive interview, Strickland discussed what it was like to receive the award. She said:
‘It was a beautiful, beautiful night for me, but I met so many survivors that just, you know, to be there and to be able to actually put my arms around them and see what it felt like for them to see the show and the relief they had because of what Shonda had written and because of what we did as actors, you know, that’s something else. There are not words for that kind of stuff.’
ABC and Shonda Rhimes have once again collaborated with RAINN to ensure accuracy in telling Rick’s story tonight. The storyline will mark the first time a military sexual assault has been covered on network television.
If you are a member of the military and have been sexually assaulted you can contact the DoD (Department of Defense) Safe Helpline at 1-877-995-5247.
If you are a civilian sexual assault survivor and need help you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.
Both lines are available 24/7.
'Private Practice' airs Thursdays at 10 PM EST on ABC.
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