The trailer for this film gave me chills. As an advocate for domestic violence survivors and victims’ I am sadly desensitized to the stories we hear repeatedly from our clients and on the hotline. However the trailer for this new award winning documentary, Sin By Silence, gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes.
“Of the women convicted of violent crimes, the vast majority were convicted for defending themselves or their children from abuse. In California alone there are 600 women in prison for killing their abusers in self-defense. Average prison terms are twice as long for killing husbands as for killing wives.” (May 1994 issue report of Women’s Economic Agenda Project)
At the California Institute for Women, history was made in 1989 when the first inmate initiated and led group in U.S. prison history shattered the misperceptions of women imprisoned for defending themselves against domestic violence. Convicted Women Against Abuse (CWAA) made further history by changing laws for women who have been abused and raising awareness for those on the outside.
Now, an award winning documentary Sin By Silence reveals the lives of extraordinary women who advocate for a future free from domestic violence. CWAA’s founder Brenda Clubine, who served 26 years in prison, is one of numerous personal and shocking stories of courageous women who have learned from their past, are changing their future and, most importantly, teach how domestic violence affects each and every person.
I just ordered the DVD and hope to have Doorways sponsor a viewing event during October Domestic Violence Awareness month in honor of these remarkable, courageous women who served the next ultimate price next to death, prison, in defending themselves against violence.
Who would be interested in helping organizing the event?
~ Linda
Tags: Domestic Violence, Education, Survival
Caroline Jones
