Waitt Institute Support Continues For Feature Length Documentary "Private Violence"

The 21 minute film
Several years ago, members of the staff of the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention were connected to a group of filmmakers who wanted to do what had never been done-document the history of the anti battering movement in America. With WIVP support and the support of a number of foundations and individuals across the country, they produced a powerful 21 minute piece which is now being shown at schools and conferences across the country.  The film looks at the domestic violence power and control wheel, the portrayal of domestic violence murders in the media and popular culture, early women advocates, the role of the police, the shelter movement, and the growing movement of men speaking out against family violence.  Testimonials for the short film have been overwhelmingly supportive.

Ninety percent (90%) of the seniors rated the film ‘an 8 or higher’ (scale 1-10, 10 high) when asked if the video depicted the seriousness of battering in America

Ninety-two percent (92%) of the seniors rated the film ‘a 7 or higher’ (scale 1-10, 10 high) when asked how effective the use of music artists, professional athletes, politicians, and interviews with advocates was in addressing battering in America.

The film makers, Astrea Productions and Video Dialog are offering copies of this short educational film as a gift in exchange for a tax deductable donation to the production of the feature length film.  Go to PrivateViolence.org for more information.

The feature length film
A feature length documentary is now being filmed and  produced, and will include a complementary web-based educational outreach toolkit for not only DV advocates and clinicians, but judges, police, district attorneys, the medical community and students.  The film will expand and deepen the stories of victims and survivors, students and activists, challenge the viewers perceptions, and continue to weave in the stories told by the movement's leaders over the last 40 years.  It will highlight new trends in violence prevention, including the men's movement, and the growing implementation of violence prevention curriculum in schools.  It will also feature the intensive violence prevention efforts in WIVP's hometown of Sioux City, Iowa and document what we call "The Sioux City Project."