In support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Investigation Discovery presents two award-winning documentaries, TELLING AMY'S STORY and SIN BY SILENCE.
"These films have the power to save lives. If we all know the signs, and what to do when we suspect domestic violence, we'll be able to save our sisters, mothers, daughters, and friends from this terrible fate," said
Henry Schleiff, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery. "We are proud to bring these powerful documentaries to television. Hopefully, by understanding the harrowing stories of these women, our viewers will gain the power to end the cycle of violence."
Did you know?
· One in four women in the U.S. have experienced domestic violence.
· Three women in the U.S. are murdered by their partner every day.
· Almost 8 million women in the U.S. have been raped by a partner.
· One in five female high school students in the U.S. are abused by their boyfriend.
· Same-sex relationships and male-female relationships have similar rates of domestic violence.
TELLING AMY'S STORY
Introduced by actress and domestic violence prevention activist
Mariska Hargitay, of Law & Order: SVU, TELLING AMY'S STORY creates a timeline leading up to the death of Amy Homan McGee. In 2001, McGee's abusive husband shot and killed her while their children waited outside in the car. Detective Deirdri Fishel, of State College Police Department's domestic abuse response team, pieces together the testimonies of those who knew Amy to reveal the early warning signs and missed opportunities that could have saved her. Det. Fishel also provides viewers with insights on how they can recognize and stop a similar situation. TELLING AMY'S STORY airs tonight, October 8, from 7-8 PM E/P. Watch the Preview.
SIN BY SILENCE
Over the last 35 years, women have represented the fastest growing prison population in America. For most, this is a direct result of some form of domestic abuse. SIN BY SILENCE goes inside the California Institution for Women and introduces viewers to women who were left with no escape but to kill their abusers. Unfortunately, because of a law that deemed evidence of a history of abuse inadmissible in court, these women were tried and sentenced out of context, as cold-blooded murderers. Led by convicted domestic violence survivor Brenda Clubine, these women formed the first inmate-initiated and inmate-led group to help abused women, Convicted Women Against Abuse (CWAA). Created in 1989, CWAA works to spread awareness about domestic abuse and to pass legislation that allows evidence of domestic abuse into trials and sentencing hearings. The film has been updated since its original airing to reflect significant changes in the protagonists' lives. Most notably, after SIN BY SILENCE first aired on Investigation Discovery in October, 2012 viewer support helped pass several "Sin by Silence" bills in California, which allow more incarcerated victims of domestic abuse to have their cases re-tried under new laws, and allow them to present evidence of abuse during their parole process. SIN BY SILENCE airs Wednesday, October 24, from 7-8 PM E/P. Watch the Preview.
TELLING AMY'S STORY was produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting, building on a successful domestic violence prevention program for faculty and staff at Penn State University.
SIN BY SILENCE is produced by Quiet Little Place Productions with director and producer Olivia Klaus. The film is distributed by Women Make Movies, Inc. (
www.wmm.com). For Investigation Discovery, Ron Simon is executive producer, Sara Kozak is vice president of production and
Henry Schleiff is president and general manager.
About Investigation Discovery
Investigation Discovery (ID) is America's leading investigation network and the fastest-growing network in television. As the source for fact-based analytical content and compelling human stories, ID probes factors that challenge our everyday understanding of culture, society and the human condition. ID delivers the highest-quality programming to more than 77 million U.S. households with viewer favorites that include On the Case with
Paula Zahn, Disappeared, Unusual Suspects and Stolen Voices, Buried Secrets. For more information, please visit InvestigationDiscovery.com,facebook.com/InvestigationDiscovery, or twitter.com/DiscoveryID. Investigation Discovery is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
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