Talk To Me: Teens Speak Out About Sexual Violence
By Saun Ellis

Rape is the most underreported crime in America. One in six victims of sexual assault are under the age of twelve. Pre-teen and teen victims are often silenced by fear, shame, guilt, and threats of reprisal. Talk to Me allows five brave young women to speak directly about their painful experiences of sexual violence. The film will be a catalyst for dialogue between students, parents, teachers and counselors.

• Bernadette was the victim of multiple rapes by adult authority figures. When she confronted one of her attackers, a Catholic priest, other church members blamed her and called her a tramp. Now in a supportive environment, she encourages rape victims to speak out about their feelings.

• Scotlan, at age 14, was continuously assaulted by her boyfriend, who became violent when she rejected his advances. She became depressed, felt isolated, and began doing poorly in school. She notes the lack of safe places young adults can go for help.

• Sara describes herself as young, overweight, lacking self-esteem — "the perfect target." When she had her rapist arrested, peers at school ruthlessly teased her. But when the rapist was eventually jailed, five other girls thanked her for speaking out. He had victimized them as well, but they had not had the courage to come forward.

• Erin was attacked by a "friend" during her first year in college. Once confident she could take care of herself, she kept thinking, "he's my friend, this isn't really happening." After he was arrested and expelled, she thought she could just move on with her life, but experienced severe flashbacks and anxiety attacks.

• Sophia was molested by a family friend when quite young. She became depressed, began to self-mutilate by cutting herself, and was acutely afraid of men, even her father. With the help of counseling, she now expresses her feelings in a healthier way, through music, and is looking forward to dating.

Though their stories are different, in each case the abuse was perpetrated by someone the victim knew and trusted. And in each case, these young women have found growth, healing and strength through confronting what has happened with the help of caring adults.

DVD version has both closed-captions and audio description.

33 minutes
© 2006
Purchase $229 DVD
Order No. QA-450
ISBN (DVD) 1-57295-839-1

Reviews
"Provides a complete package for domestic violence training for health care professionals. Highly recommended." Educational Media Reviews Online

"An extremely valuable documentary that allows the viewer to experience the feelings of five brave young women who share how they were victimized and continue to survive. Recommended to all human service professionals and students." Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling

Awards & Conference Screenings
Women's International Film Festival
Columbus International Film/Video Festival,
Honorable Mention
Hot Springs Documentary Festival
Western Psychological Association
WorldFest Houston Film Festival,
Bronze Remi Award

Related Films
Battered Hearts: Domestic abuse is not always physical. Focusing on abusers as well as their victims, this documentary looks at the devastating range of physical, verbal, and emotional assaults which abusers may inflict, but also profiles successful programs which offer awareness, help and healing.

Are the Kids Alright?: Filmed in courtrooms, correctional institutions, treatment centers, and family homes, this searing documentary examines the results of the tragic decline in mental health services for children and adolescents at risk.

Recovering Krystal: The dramatic story of one teenage drug addict and runaway highlights a unique, 12-month alcohol and drug therapy program which treats both the abuser and his or her parents.

Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence: This program will help nurses, physicians, social workers and other healthcare workers to detect domestic violence and intervene to "break the cycle."

Stolen Lives: Takes a hard look at the issue of children in the sex trade through the eyes of the teenaged boys and girls who are being exploited in the fast-growing business of selling children for sex in North America.

Stories No One Wants to Hear: An experimental documentary combining interviews and poetic video art to explore the process of remembering childhood trauma: incest by mothers and siblings.

To rent or purchase this film, please visit the Icarus Films website

HOME  ||  TITLE INDEX  ||  SUBJECT AREAS  ||  RESOURCES  ||  RETURN TO TOP
CONTACT FANLIGHT  ||  FAQ