Sin by Silence Blog

A Survivor Receives a Safe Place

Sep 13th, 2009 In: Director's Notes Screenings Sin by Silence Tour By: admin Comments 0

When making Sin by Silence I never imagined the difference we would be making.  For so many years I was frantically putting in 15 hours days, editing hour upon hour of footage, making phone calls, and screaming out for people to help to bring this message  to life.  Now that we are on the road and having the opportunity to have community events, it is just amazing to see how far this cause has come.

As we stopped for a few screenings in the San Francisco area, I was slammed with a new feeling of emotion.  Sin by Silence is definitely changing lives.  Yet, we have a new twist to that statement.  Just yesterday we had an event at the Roxie Theater in the Mission area.  Yet, we had the great opportunity to have another survivor join the discussion after the film.  Ollie was released on parole over 3 years ago.  She is struggling.  Struggling to make ends meet.  Struggling to see her family that lives out of the area.  Struggling to find a job.  Struggling to find a place to live other than the motel she currently calls home.

Ollie is having a hard time making it.  But, was excited to be there that afternoon to selflessly talk about her “sisters” she left behind in prison who still needed our help.  While watching the film she was able to see friends she hadn’t seen in years.  And was able to constant struggle to freedom that they all face.  So, when Ollie got up to speak it was not to focus on her own struggles she has in the free world, but to remind the audience why they need to get involved.  Why they need to connect with organizations like Free Battered Women.  Why they need to remember the hundreds of ‘sisters’ who still need help.

Now, a day after the event, we got a call from Ollie.  She was crying tears of joy as she shared that someone in the audience was going to give her a new place to live!  Can you believe it?  Someone felt compelled enough to go beyond a typical handout or donation and decided to really make a difference where it counts.  It’s never easy to go out on a limb for people, but Ollie’s life will now forever be changed.  Someone decided to give her life new meaning and purpose.  Someone decided to let Ollie know that she is worth it!

Eight years ago when I started on this journey of Sin by Silence, I never could have imagined the impact we would be making.  The impact that it would have on the public to know that they need to take a stand against domestic violence.  The impact that it would have on empowering people to know they can heal from an abusive past.  The impact it can have on one person who believed enough in our cause to step up and make a tangible difference in one woman’s life who will now forever be changed.  Ollie you matter and we’re exciting to see what’s ahead for you!  The sky’s the limit!