Finding Jenn's Voice Sheds Light on Partner Homicide

Voices 4 Change

Monday, Oct. 17

Homicide is a leading cause of death during pregnancy, but no one talks about it. During this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Erie domestic violence agency SafeNet is shedding light on this statistic with the assistance of the Film Society of NWPA. Finding Jenn's Voice (2014), a film that will be shown at PACA, aims to spread awareness of the characteristics of coercive and controlling relationships.

Finding Jenn's Voice is an award-winning film that tells the story of a woman silenced. Jennifer Snyder was murdered in 2011 by her married boyfriend after he learned she was pregnant. Directed by Tracy Schott, the film features conversations with experts and survivors of intimate partner homicide and attempts to provide a picture of the anatomy of abusive relationships while law enforcement and the people who loved Jenn alert us to the signs that she missed. Along the way, the media is taken to task for its ineffective reporting of domestic violence homicides. Ultimately, it is the voices of survivors who help us to find Jenn's voice, leaving the viewer with a message that is hard to forget.

Viewers of the film will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a discussion after the film with Robyn Young, executive director of SafeNet, as well as other experts. Art and poetry created by domestic violence survivors will be on display in the gallery.

Reception with refreshments 6 p.m., screening at 6:30 p.m. with Q&A to follow // PACA, 1505 State St., 2nd floor // Free // safeneterie.org