This post is going to seem a bit arbitrary in relation to previous posts but I simply must share.
Tonight I went to a screening of a documentary film called Sin by Silence hosted by our campus’s Women’s Center. I wasn’t sure what it was about or what to expect. I soon discovered that the topic was dealing with domestic violence. Before the film began, there were statistics and facts that detailing the extent to which domestic abuse effects our society. The film was then introduced by a university administrator who very honestly admitted to her personal struggle with abuse.
The film tells the stories of several different women currently imprisoned in a California Women’s Institution who have all been sentenced to 15 years to life for killing their abusers. More specifically, it shows the changes that are coming from an organization that was started from within the prison by one of its convicted inmates, Brenda Clubine. In 1989, Brenda started Convicted Women Against Abuse to help women like her speak out and realize they are not alone. Over the past two decades, the women of CWAA have changed laws for battered women and raised awareness for those on the outside. It also tells the personal and shocking stories of these strong women who are learning from their past and are changing their future and the futures of abused women in our country.
I’ll be honest, I am the emotional type and this really got to me but inspired me none the less. After the film had ended there was a panel discussion with law experts and, to my surprise, Brenda Clubine herself and the daughter of one of the women in the film. Brenda was released from prison after new laws were passed that brought her 42 filed police reports, hospital records, and protective orders to her defense and got her freedom after over 20 years in prison. She was a truly amazing individual and was very receptive. I had the opportunity to speak to her some after the panel about my own experiences and those of loved ones who have . What a lady!
People like Brenda Clubine and the other women of the CWAA have done so much to raise awareness and fight to give justice to those who need it. But more so than that, encouraging women (and men) to find their voice to speak out against domestic abuse so that fewer lives are lost and destroyed.
I encourage anyone to watch this documentary. It’s less than hour long, very engaging and inspiring. Check out the trailer below and the official site here.
