Reactions ranging from shock to support have followed Jacob Roloff’s allegations that, as a child, he was molested by one of the field producers from the reality show, “Little People, Big World.” In a post on Instagram last week, Roloff, who is now 23, claimed that he had been molested by a former producer on the TLC show, which has focused on members of Oregon’s Roloff family.
Roloff wrote, in part, that he made the decision to disclose the alleged abuse “as it remains a traumatic memory,” adding that, “By revealing this, I may be more fully understood and my perspective on issues such as child sexual abuse, child exploitation, and the collateral costs of reality television may be received more clearly. Although, I would have to add that this experience has not solely defined my point of view on any of these issues, now has it defined my worldview in general.”
In the Instagram post, Roloff also wrote, “This may also serve as a reminder that the experience of sexual assault, in all its iterations, can happen to anyone at anytime and is a far more prevalent reality than our current social stigma allows us to talk about.”
Following Roloff’s explosive post, Today and other entertainment news sites reported that TLC, the channel that has aired “Little People, Big World” since it premiered in 2006, responded with a statement.
“TLC was just informed about an alleged encounter that occurred years ago involving a third party connected to the production of Little People Big World,” the statement said. “We are saddened and troubled by this very serious allegation, and TLC will work cooperatively with the authorities. Our main focus remains on supporting the Roloff family during this very difficult time.”
People reports that the former “Little People, Big World” producer that Roloff claimed molested him has not responded to a request for comment.
Other members of the Roloff family, including Jacob’s parents, Matt and Amy Roloff, have posted support for Jacob. Amy Roloff wrote, “I love you forever and always Jacob. I’m proud of you. Now you don’t have to feel alone and carry this around anymore.” Matt Roloff wrote, “Love you Jacob George Roloff ... very proud!” Jacob’s wife, Isabel Sofia Rock, wrote, “Proud to know you, proud to love you, proud to be your wife.”
“Little People, Big World,” which returned for a new season in September, has followed members of the Roloff family, and life at their Helvetia-area farm. Matt and Amy -- who are now divorced -- and their son, Zach, have dwarfism. The couple’s other children, Jeremy, Molly and Jacob, don’t have dwarfism. Jacob Roloff hasn’t appeared on the series for some time, and has in the past criticized the show for manufacturing storylines for the sake of TV.
In 2016, for example, Roloff wrote on Instagram that he appreciated people “wanting me ‘to be with the family’ for a few more episodes,” then added that the “family that is filmed is not my family. They are the Roloff Characters and I have scarcely anything in common with them, nor do I want to be a character myself.”
-- Kristi Turnquist
kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist
The Link LonkDecember 22, 2020 at 02:58AM
https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2020/12/jacob-roloff-of-oregons-little-people-big-world-family-alleges-he-was-molested-by-a-producer-on-the-show.html
Jacob Roloff, of Oregon’s ‘Little People, Big World’ family, alleges he was molested by a producer on the show - OregonLive
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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