Sin by Silence documentary shown at Evangel University
The film was followed by a panel discussion which included
the director and one of the victims featured in the documentary
November 4, 2009
To raise awareness of the growing problem of domestic abuse, Evangel University’s Social Work program partnered with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary to showcase the film, “Sin by Silence,” on Thursday, October 29, 2009.
The documentary, produced by Olivia Klaus, focuses on domestic violence from a survivor's perspective. Sin by Silence is packed with emotion as it chronicles the stories of women incarcerated for killing an abusive partner. The film examines the complexities of the legal system and how women can gain independence from these relationships. It also helps educate the public about the tragedy of domestic violence.
“The ‘story’ is true-to-life profiles of multiple inmates in the federal prison system,” says Donna Washburn, behavioral science department chair. “These prisoners are women who were battered by their partners and then retaliated against the abuse. These assaults, and in some cases, deaths, were prosecuted, placing the women behind bars.”
“I cried throughout most of the movie,” Amy Copeland, senior and psychology major, says. “Just seeing all of these women go through such horrible things broke my heart. But it was challenging and motivating to see how these victims, who were beaten by their aggressors, who may now be in prison for killing their husbands, are making changes in the laws so that not as many women will suffer the same things they have dealt with in respect to the law, all behind jail bars. It makes me wonders what women who are not in jail could do to help.”
According to Washburn, the rate of domestic violence in Greene County (where Evangel is located) is almost twice that of other counties in the state — up to as many as 7,000 to 8,000 cases annually.
“In my classes, such as the course I took in Abuse and Neglect, I was familiar with the number of incidences in Greene County, and as a woman, they are crazy statistics because I am a woman living in Springfield too. It really challenges me to start thinking twice to be more cautious for my own safety,” Copeland says.
Klaus, who directed the film, says she was motivated to produce the film eight years ago after a friend fell victim to domestic violence.
“I used to have the same mind set toward domestic violence as many people do — I knew about it but thought it was something that would never affect me,” she says. “Yet, eight years ago I got a phone call that completely changed the course of my life. In that three-minute phone call, a friend of mine was crying out for help. As my mind started racing for ways to help or fix things, I realized, to my horror, that I was completely helpless. I had no answers, no solution. I held that phone in silence as I heard the dark secrets of a seemingly perfect marriage unravel.”
According to Klaus, one in three American women will experience abuse at some point in her life. Klaus also said that every nine seconds an American woman is beaten and more than 4 million will die each year as a result of domestic violence.
“With statistics like these, it is very hard to ignore that we have a huge problem on our hands in the United States, as well as across the globe,” Klaus says.
Following the movie, a panel discussed community issues surrounding domestic violence, the unique special characteristics and struggles of victims, the court system’s response to domestic abuse and prevention strategies.
“There is no easy answer to domestic violence. It is a very complex and multi-faceted social problem,” Washburn says. “The greatest intervention strategy can be found in the form of prevention and community response to the issue: teaching the warning signs, red flags and characteristics of a potential abuser or controlling relationship; creating the community education and awareness of the issue and increasing resources for victims.”
For more information about the film, visit www.sinbysilence.com
bb