'Beyond Survival': Domestic Violence Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion
Event Details
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) presents a special screening of Beyond Survival, the powerful Survivor Justice Project documentary that sheds light on the experiences of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking, who were punished by the very systems meant to protect them. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with experts including Judith Clark of Survivor Justice Project, DVCC CEO Suzanne Adam, and CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence CEO Meghan Scanlon. Together they'll examine the impact of survivor criminalization and the importance of the proposed Survivors Justice Act legislation in Connecticut.
The film challenges common assumptions about safety, accountability, and punishment, highlighting how survivors’ actions are often shaped by fear, coercion, and long-term abuse. The panel discussion will address issues particularly relevant to Fairfield County — including how wealth, social status, and privacy norms can hide abuse, how survivors may fear reputational or economic consequences if they seek help, and how access to resources can influence legal outcomes.
“Beyond Survival invites us to rethink the idea that punishment automatically creates safety,” said Suzanne Adam, CEO of DVCC. “The Survivors Justice Act does not excuse harm — it allows courts to consider the full context of a survivor’s life so justice can be more informed, humane, and effective.” Community members, advocates, legal professionals, students, and anyone interested in learning what needs to be done to make our community a healthier and safer place for everyone are encouraged to attend this important event.
About the Survivor Justice Project
The Survivors Justice Project is a collective that advocates for the decarceration of domestic violence survivors through implementation and expansion of New York's Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA). The organization was founded through collaboration between Brooklyn Law School, the Women & Justice Project, The Public Science Project at CUNY's Graduate Center, and Gender/Women Studies scholars. SJP is the only organization collecting and analyzing DVSJA-related data to monitor the law's implementation. The project works with incarcerated individuals seeking resentencing, trains legal professionals, and supports advocates in other states working to replicate New York's groundbreaking legislation.
Related Events
The Westport Library is committed to intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide welcoming spaces for the free exchange of ideas. The Library does not endorse or condemn points of view, including any program content or the views expressed by presenters or participants.
