Newspapers were cluttered with headlines of the very public act of violence against Rihanna in 2009. Overnight, Rihanna's private nightmare became a public debate. "She deserved it." "She is trying to get attention." "She started it." These kinds of comments revealed a startling response to teen dating violence and the statistics prove it - 1 in 3 teens experience abuse, 2 out of 3 teens who experience abuse never report it.

With these pervasive comments and brutal statistics, the QLP team knew it was crucial to reach a younger generation with the message of Sin by Silence. By utilizing the stories of the CWAA women, who met their abusive partners in their teenage years, we were determined to help prevent a young generation of women from following in their footsteps. Helping youth understand the future impact on their present decisions, can help create steps toward making better decisions now for the quality of their relationships and independence.

GOAL:

While on the Stop the Violence tour, schedule events that take the message of Sin by Silence to the college age level. Build young knowledge to understand the violence that surrounds youth in their homes, in their relationships, and on their campuses. Build young action to start to making better decisions for their own personal safety.

STRATEGY:

1. Utilize screening events on university and college campuses to inspire a younger generation to create change.
2. Create a tangible reminder that helps each and every member of the audience connect the stories they see onscreen with their own relationships.

OUTCOMES:

IMPACT:

As the data shows, the Red Flag events were by far the most successful events on the Stop the Violence tour. The greatest amount of attendees. The greatest amount of connections. The greatest amount of impact in touching the lives of a younger generation. But, how would the impact be continued after the students went back to their dorm rooms? By creating red flags to remind them of the warning signs in potentially abusive relationships!

Thousands of red flags were passed out as students and community members walk into the screening. In the interactive discussion with students after screening the film, students were encouraged to write the warning sign on their red flag to remind them to be aware of their relationship boundaries.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT:

Vanguard University of Southern California
September 2, 2009 - Costa Mesa, CA

"Sin by Silence grips every man and woman with the knowledge that this could happen in my own community. Then it takes the next step and the viewer understands that it IS happening on our own campus. We have to break the silence." - Center for Women's Studies

Attendance: 475

Panel Discussion Participants:
Denise Ballester- Executive Director, Nicole Brown Foundation
Dr. Elizabeth Leonard - Author of Convicted Survivors
Brenda Clubine - Founder of Convicted Women Against Abuse
Ann-Caryn Cleveland - Co-Producer/Editor
Olivia Klaus - Director/Producer

Impact of Event:
"Over four hundred and fifty, mostly students, packed in to to see Sin by Silence. The moderate roar turned to stunned silence once the video began. No one moved. The mood intensified as the team that brought it all together took their places on the Q&A Panel. The message was clear - our students need to be aware of the violence they will face in their relationships. The impact was made - many students are now volunteering at the local shelter that helped sponsor the event. The following morning there was a field of red flags, planted by students multiplying the message, being a voice, and making a difference."
- Sandie Morgan, Panel Discussion Moderator

TESTIMONIALS:

"The Sin by Silence event brought life to an issue that is too often ignored. Our community and campus was moved and inspired because any of the women in the film could have been one of our students."
University of San Francisco, Gender, Sexuality & Women's Student Resource Center

"Sin by Silence has inspired my students to take action in our own community to ensure that survivors of domestic violence are not victimized by the criminal justice system."
Arizona State University, Women's Study Center

"Sin by Silence is a film that should be shown on every college campus. In less than an hour students learn about the signs of abuse, the long-term consequences of abuse, and that there is hope for a world free of abuse. By the end of the event, students realize this is an issue that matters to them."
Pacific Lutheran University, Sociology Department

"The response was simply amazing. From students who now feel "called" to work in this specific field, to women seeking help, to community members wanting to mobilize. I think the ripples from the film and Brenda's dynamic and moving presentation will be felt for some time."
Evangel University, Sociology Department