''Sin by Silence'' is a
domestic violence
Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. ''Domestic violence'' is often used as a synonym for ''intimate partner ...
documentary film by Olivia Klaus that offers a unique gateway into the lives of women who are the tragedies living worst-case scenarios and survivors - women who have killed their abusive husbands. Based on the first inmate-initiated and led support group in the entire United States prison system, the film reveals the history and stories of the members of the group
Convicted Women Against Abuse created by inmate Brenda Clubine in 1989. By following five women's abusive experiences that led to their incarceration, the film take viewers on their journeys from victim to survivors, reveals the history of the
Battered Women Syndrome in the state of California, and shatters misconceptions. This documentary is a production of Quiet Little Place Productions.
The award-winning film premiered at the
Cleveland International Film Festival
The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is an annual film festival based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is the largest film festival in Ohio. It was first held in 1977, showing eight films over a period of eight weeks at the Cedar Lee Theatre. It ...
2009, and went on to screen nationally as part of the grassroots tour, entitled Stop the Violence, that took the film to over 40 communities in 10 states through the United States. The film sparks awareness about the silent tragedy of domestic violence, while inspiring individuals to connect with advocacy organizations and take everyday actions that improve the quality of their own lives and communities.
In 2011, the film had its television premiere on
Investigation Discovery
Investigation Discovery (stylized and branded on-air as ID since 2008) is an American multinational pay television network dedicated to true crime documentaries owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. As of February 2015, approximately 86 million Ameri ...
to over 2.2 million viewers.
In 2012,
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma introduced AB 1593 and AB 593
The Sin by Silence Bills inspired by the documentary.
AB 593 seeks to clarify Penal Code 1473.5 to include the domestic violence victims that were unintentionally denied their original writ of
habeas corpus
''Habeas corpus'' (; from Medieval Latin, ) is a recourse in law through which a person can report an unlawful detention or imprisonment to a court and request that the court order the custodian of the person, usually a prison official, t ...
due to limited expert testimony evidence. AB 1593 seeks to provide victims of domestic violence who have suffered
Intimate Partner Battering (IPB) a chance to present their evidence in an effective way during the parole process. Both bills were signed into law by Governor Brown on September 30, 2012 to ensure the path to freedom for over 7,000 domestic violence survivors currently serving time in California prisons.
Awards
Awards received by ''Sin by Silence''
* 2012 Cable Fax for Best Show or Series
* 2012 Celebrating Solutions Award for innovations that demonstrate promise in breaking the cycle of domestic violence
* American Library Association's list of Notable Videos for Adults 2011
* Sacramento Film and Music Festival 2009, Audience Award for Best Documentary
Press
Press Coverage of ''Sin by Silence''
NPR "All Things Considered" - Domestic Abuse Victims Get Chance At FreedomHLN, Dr Drew on Call - Women tell Dr. Drew why they killed their partnerFox News - Film explores world of abused women put behind bars
See also
*
Domestic Violence Documentaries
* ''
The Conspiracy of Silence
''The Conspiracy of Silence'' is a 1995 television documentary that outlines the problem of domestic violence in the United States, and describes some solutions. The title refers to an unspoken pact in an abusive relationship, in which the abus ...
,'' a Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) documentary
* ''
Defending Our Lives
''Defending Our Lives'' is a 1993 American short documentary film directed by Margaret Lazarus, Stacey Kabat and Renner Wunderlich. It won an Oscar at the 66th Academy Awards in 1994 for Documentary Short Subject.
See also
* Domestic Viol ...
'', a short documentary
* ''
Power and Control: Domestic Violence in America'', a documentary about domestic violence and the community-based
Duluth Model
The Duluth Model (also known as Domestic Abuse Intervention Project or DAIP or Pence's model) is a program developed to reduce domestic violence against women. It is named after Duluth, Minnesota, the city where it was developed. The program wa ...
to reduce domestic violence
* ''
Silent Voices,'' a United Kingdom documentary
References
External links
*
Sin by Silence Bills informationSin by Silence on Facebook*
Sin by Silenceat
Women Make Movies
Women Make Movies is a non-profit feminist media arts organization based in New York City. Founded by Ariel Dougherty and Sheila Paige with Dolores Bargowski, WMM was first a feminist production collective that emerged from city-wide Women's Li ...
Sin by Silence on Investigation Discovery
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sin By Silence
2009 films
American independent films
American documentary films
Documentary films about violence against women
Films about domestic violence
Violence against women in the United States
2000s English-language films
2000s American films