Powerful Documentary Film Swift Current has World Broadcast Premiere November 21 on Global

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TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2015 /CNW/ - Child abuse awareness is at the forefront of the thought-provoking and powerful documentary film Swift Current, premiering Saturday, November 21 at 9 pm ET/PT on Global. Directed by Joshua Rofé, this documentary tells the narrative of former NHL hockey player Sheldon Kennedy and his story of sexual abuse at the hands of his former hockey coach, Graham James, the sexual predator whose behaviour was ignored through two Western League coaching stints and one in Europe.

"The goal of this film is to offer hope and a solution to an issue that is affecting our most vulnerable population," said Sheldon Kennedy. "Through this film, and through the work of Child Advocacy Centres across Canada, it is my hope that people will be able to understand the impact of child abuse and work together to support those who have been traumatized by abuse."

Kennedy has gone on to become one of the world's leading advocates for victims of child abuse through the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, and was recently recognized as a member of the Order Of Canada for his tireless work. During the documentary, Kennedy tells his story and the struggles he endured from the trauma of his abuse. The film parallels Kennedy's painful story with two young people whose experiences lead them to connect with Kennedy and his message. Swift Current also follows the early recovery of the two students, Mikki and Graham, ultimately providing a never before seen look at the long-lasting effects of trauma caused by sexual abuse.

"Global is proud to provide a national platform for Swift Current, sharing this important message about child advocacy with Canadians across the country," said Phil Piazza, Vice President Global TV, Marketing, Digital & Content Acquisitions for Shaw Media. Shaw Media's parent company, Shaw Communications, is a proud supporter of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre.

Swift Current was directed, produced and co-written by Joshua Rofé (Lost for Life), produced by 3-time Academy Award-winner Mark Jonathan Harris and Geralyn Dreyfous (Born Into Brothels, The Invisible War, The Square), Regina Scully (The Invisible War), and executive produced by acclaimed filmmaker James Gray (The Immigrant, The Yards), documentarian Alexandra Dickson Gray (Close to Home), Tom Mauro, and Debra Mauro.

For additional information about the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, please visit sheldonkennedycac.ca.

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Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company. Shaw serves 3.2 million consumers and businesses through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw provides consumers with broadband Internet, WiFi, Digital Phone and Video services. Shaw Business provides businesses with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, Video and fleet tracking services, and ViaWest provides collocation, cloud and managed services. Shaw Media provides Canadians with engaging programming content through one of Canada's largest conventional television networks, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks, including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY® and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX – SJR.B, NYSE – SJR). For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca.

SOURCE Global Television

For media inquiries, please contact: Jacqui VanSickle, Senior Publicist, Global Television, 416-966-7261, [email protected]; Ashley Applebaum, Publicity Manager, Global Television, 416-934-8481, [email protected]; Alisha Samnani, Brookline Public Relations for Sheldon Kennedy, 403-538-5641 ext. 102, [email protected]