TLC Bringing Duggars Back to TV For Child Sex Abuse Documentary

The network was forced to cancel its number 1 show, 19 Kids And Counting, because of the family's child abuse scandal, but now may reap new ratings rewards with a one-hour special.

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

August 14 2015 3:41 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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For an upcoming documentary special regarding child sex abuse, TLC is bringing back two of the Duggar family's 19 kids and apparently not counting on any more.

Jessa and Jill Duggar are sisters to Josh, who resigned from the antigay Family Research Council in May amid allegations he had molested at least one of them and four other girls. Duggar, 27, admitted he had "acted inexcusably" in 2002-2003. Although he was investigated, he was never charged with a crime.

Their father, Jim Bob Duggar, told Fox News Josh was not a pedophile since he was only a teenager at the time.

TLC canceled the family's top-rated reality series, 19 Kids And Counting, last month under increasing public pressure as a result of the scandal.

Breaking the Silence, the one-hour documentary featuring the Duggar sisters and others, is described by TLC in a press release as "an effort to promote education, raise awareness, and advance the conversation on this important matter."

The release also states it "is built around the personal and emotional stories of brave survivors who have found the courage to come forward."

Perez Hilton reported on his blog that the special will air commercial-free, meaning TLC will earn no money from sponsors for that hour of programming. But the network -- and the Duggars -- could win big ratings that would at least give the family bragging rights about their continued popularity and maybe earn them an opportunity to do more reality television.