Sulphur and White tells the story of David Tait’s struggle to overcome childhood abuse.
A film based on the true story of a man coming to terms with the abuse he faced as a child is being screened in Edinburgh.
Sulphur and White tells the story of city trader David Tait, whose successful career masks the trauma of his childhood.
David is now an ambassador and fundraiser for the NSPCC, and a special showing of the film on 17 March will see 20% of ticket sales go to the children’s charity.
NSPCC council member Ruth Moss, who met David prior to the screening, said the film exposes the realities of life for survivors of child abuse.
She said: “David spent many years with this as a hidden secret, and I really hope this film encourages people that have gone through similar dreadful experiences to realise that there’s no better time to speak out, even if it’s been a long time since that experience took place.
“This film is powerful, it has impact and it provides a real message. It’s a film that everyone should watch and will come out feeling different from when they went in.”
David, who has raised more than £1.5 million for the children’s charity, said: “I backed Sulphur and White being made because I wanted people to understand the reality of child sexual abuse and the collateral damage it can cause. I also wanted to show people that there is redemption and a future.
“I’m hoping the film will encourage people with hidden pasts to talk about their own problems and it will give them comfort going forward. The NSPCC and Childline is such an incredibly important resource for children these days – that they can reach out for help and there is someone there to listen to them and support them.”
Last year, over 500 children and young people in Scotland contacted Childline about sexual abuse. During the same period, Police Scotland recorded more than 5,000 sexual offences against children.
Matt Forde, national head of service for NSPCC Scotland, said: “It is so important that people feel that if they speak out they will be listened to and believed, however much time has passed since the abuse happened. We hope that David’s story will give people the courage to do so, and that they will receive the support they need.”
Sulphur and White, which stars Mark Stanley and Anna Friel, will be shown at the Vue Cinema in the Edinburgh Omni Centre on Tuesday 17 March 17) at 7.30pm.
