Library to Screen Film About Violence in Lesbian Relationships

by ARLnow.com — October 1, 2010 at 2:57 pm 2,200 4 Comments

Domestic violence against women isn’t always committed by men. One in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime regardless of the sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, age or educational background.

To help mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Arlington Central Library will be screening three films that explore the subject.

“My Girlfriend Did It” was first released in 1995, but its message is still as relevant and powerful now as it was back then. The documentary by Casa de Esperanza will be screened on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2:00 p.m. at the Arlington Central Library Auditorium.

Also on the film agenda is “Telling Amy’s Story,” which explores the events leading up to a domestic violence murder. That will be screened this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Next Sunday “Sin by Silence,” about female prison inmates learning to stop the cycle of domestic abuse, will also be shown at 2:00.

Skeptical

I wish there were some similar publicity about domestic violence against men, including that perpetrated by women. Perhaps the screening of a film about women who are violent in same sex relationships will open up that question.

I’m personally familiar with a situation involving a very disordered and violent wife; when her husband (a diminutive and physically timid person) called police the last time before starting divorce proceedings, the police officer directed all his reassurances to the wife and told the husband that he wasn’t going to make an arrest on this occasion but that if he were called to the same address again he would, and would not say who he was more likely to arrest.

People are people, and some are violent and belligerent and will remain so as long as they can get away with it. Traditionally, men got away with it for centuries until society began to display a zero-tolerance attitude, but alas, some people still can’t grasp that women are capable of the same behavior.
- Publicity hound
  
  Agreed. If only newspapers still had the drive, courage and integrity to report tough in-depth stories like this, we’d all be better informed. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to fill a paper with press releases, unresearched opinions, and quotes from colorful nut jobs and anonymous, unaccountable “sources”. So they don’t bother. Looks like the Internet is about to take their lunch money, though.
shirley

thank you for showing this. it is so important. single sex relationship face so many challenges and domestic abuse is right up thre.
RestonRunner86

I was in an abusive same-sex relationship myself earlier this year, so I truly do appreciate that there is now more awareness being broached about subject, regardless of as to how “unpleasant” it may be. In my particular circumstance I could have physically overpowered my abuser with limited difficulty but was still reeling with mental anguish from a prior failed relationship to the point where I told myself I “deserved” what I was getting.

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