Silent No More

People need to understand the courage it takes

to talk about what happened

to these women and their children.

This 911 call... actually happened.

911. Is this an emergency?

Yes, my husband is breaking in.

- Your husband is breaking in? - Yes!

- Ma'am, is your life in danger? - Yes, please help us!

- Is there anyone else in danger? - My daughter!

Noticing and acknowledging the warning signs and symptoms of domestic violence and abuse

is the first step towards ending it.

No one should have to live in fear of those they love.

And if this is you...

...you can't hesitate to reach out.

There may not be a next time. You have to know that there's help available.

Tell that to Faith.

Yeah, cops was too busy getting coffee and donuts.

I'm referring to the opportunity

someone has before something like this happens.

What you gonna say? "Goo-goo ga-ga."

You can't verbalize much when the abuse begins when you're a baby.

- Man, I hate guys. - All of them?

Except my Grandpa Joe.

But he's dead.

So, yes. All of them.

- Can you share with the group? - You wouldn't believe me.

- Why don't you try me? - You'll think I'm stupid.

You can say whatever you want here without ridicule.

We're not here to pass judgement on you.

Man...

I don't know, Miss V.

On the way here, I practice what I'm gonna say.

But then, it don't come out.

You hear that? That's the problem, right there.

You guys can't continue to be silent.

That's no way of coping with this.

You wanna get over this, you can't be silent no more.

Easier said than done.

Look, I understand, but you don't have to live like that.

You don't have to live in fear.

You do if it's the only home you have,

and there's nowhere else for you to go.

See, and that dependency-

That's the vicious cycle that we have to break.

There is a point of origin,

and if we can recognize that, we can help others.

But first and foremost, we have to help ourselves.

You guys have already been through the trauma,

but we're here to prevent it from happening again.

Or to one of your children.

Faith, please take the flowers off the table.

Mommy, Daddy bought them for you.

Faith, I asked you nicely. Please remove them from the table.

It's okay, Faith, um...

Why don't we put them in your room?

Ya-a-ay!

...and the little train made it over the hill,

and this made all the little boys and girls very happy.

I'm happy too, Daddy.

So am I.

- It's time for bed. - Okay, Daddy.

I love you very much, Faith.

I thought I could get over this Daniel, but I can't.

Please don't give up on us, Eva.

Me, give up on us? You're the one that gave up on us.

People make mistakes.

If it had been anyone- anyone else, maybe.

But my own sister?

In the name of God...

As I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

Where's Daddy's beautiful little girl?

I'm right here!

There's my beautiful family.

Follow me. Please forgive me.

I can't.

Come on.

Come on, Daddy.

I am so sorry, Faith.

Morning, Daddy.

- You know I love you very much, right, Faith? - Yes, Daddy.

- I don't know how to say this, but... - What's wrong, Daddy?

Daddy's gonna have to find a new place to live.

Why?

Mommy and Daddy will be happier this way.

But we are happy!

...and the little train made it over the hill,

and that made all the little boys and girls very happy.

- Do you want Mommy to read to you? - No, thank you.

I just finished.

Oh, well... It's getting late.

- It's time for bed. - Okay.

I know, yeah, but it's the only way.

Mm-hmm.

- Faith, what are you doing? - Putting in fresh water.

Those flowers are dying, put them in the garbage.

Yes, uh huh, yeah. I already called the school.

- But these are the flowers Daddy bought you. - Mm-hmm

I know, totally understand.

Mm-hmm.

Yes.

I understand.

I'm gonna have to call you back.

All right, Mom. Bye.

Now what are you doing?

These are flowers from Daddy!

I know, and I threw them in the garbage.

Now put 'em back!

Come over here. You and I need to talk.

- Yes, Mommy? - Listen...

We're all going through a tough time right now,

but I really need you to understand that this is hard for Mommy, too.

Then ask Daddy to come back.

It's not gonna happen.

Just call him. You'll see, he'll come back.

Faith, I said no!

You see?

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

I don't need this right now.

I'm sorry, Mommy.

It's not just that.

It's everything.

You sit in your room all day,

you don't say a word.

I'm already feeling lonely as it is,

and you're not making it any easier.

I just- I feel-

I don't know. I just feel like I don't fit!

Yeah, well, Mamita, me neither.

And that's why I decided you're gonna stay with Grandma for a while.

She's waiting on us, so come on.

Let's go get your things.

Let's go.

Mom? Mom.

- Hi, mija! - Hi, Mom.

Hello, Faith.

Faith, your grandma is speaking to you. Answer her.

That's okay, Eva.

She's just nervous, that's all.

Hoo.

- Hola, sis. - Hey, Leo.

Bye, Mom. I'll see you next week.

Lombardo, remember to be safe out on that road.

I will.

Hey.

How is trucking going for him?

Good, I just don't see him that much anymore.

He's gone for weeks at a time.

Then, when he's here, I have to go clean the offices.

But now I have Faith to keep me company.

Faith...

Mommy has to leave, but you stay here with Grandma and be a good girl.

You hear me?

I love you, Mommy.

Please don't leave me.

I promise I'll try and fit.

Never forget that Mommy loves you.

Mommy needs to fix herself.

What do you have in here?

My books.

- And some flowers, I see. - My daddy bought them.

Really?

But I think they're dying.

Do you know why things die?

To make room for something new. Come with me.

Wow, Grandma! Did you grow all these?

Yes, with lots of love and care.

But even these will eventually die.

But you can't give up, no matter what,

for God himself came back to show us his love.

...to show us his love.

Coming forward can be hard.

When someone reaches out, you gotta take a leap of faith.

Ya'll hear that?

All we gotta do is jump over Faith.

What I meant to say was, if someone lends a hand,

express your concerns.

Is there something you want to say, Mary?

No. No.

Come on, Mary.

Please, share with us.

It's gonna make you feel so much better.

- - It only gets easier.

- I can't. - It's very good for your progression.

Whatever.

Is there something you want to say, Sharon?

You talk as if some of us had a choice.

Believe it or not, you did.

You just didn't know it.

Yeah, right.

I understand your frustration.

And if you take anything from these sessions,

learn that you have the ability to make it stop.