The project will be a videotape produced as a pseudo-documentary on the subject of domestic violence, presenting to the viewer the range of problems involved in domestic violence, the different agencies addressing these problems, the work of the personnel in these agencies, and various helping organizations that have been created to deal with the problem, such as crisis centers, housing for victims, and programs to help victims acquire what they need in the way of education and training to start a new life for themselves, a more independent life.
This video will present a woman who stands in for all the women who are being battered and she will tell her story to the camera. The camera will then become this woman. She has resolved to do something about her situation and has investigated the possibilities. She then goes to each of the agencies involved. We will be following her through the process, somewhat more expanded than any one individual would encounter, but covering the range of possibilities for women facing this crisis in today's society. At each stop, the professional responsible for helping the woman will explain their role, the work of their agency, and the options facing the woman. The emphasis throughout will be on choices, on realizing that you have them, on making them so that they serve your needs.
The style of production will be realistic, using actual locations such as the woman would go to if she were seeking help for her problem. The intent is to recreate the experience of a battered woman seeking help and in so doing to assuage fears these women may have about what they will encounter. They will be shown that there are people who will help, that they will not be shunted aside, that what they may have been told by their batterers about no one else caring is not true, that there really are agencies and individuals ready and even eager to provide them with assistance, and that they will be able to find a...