The It Was Rape Project
Rape is wrong, illegal, reprehensible—and yet still tragically common. In this film, eight women tell their diverse personal stories of sexual assault, from a Midwestern teenager trying alcohol for the first time to a Native American woman gradually coming to terms with her abusive childhood. Gripping and emotional, this film is an opportunity to empathize with people—not just absorb faceless statistics—and to puncture the silence and denial that allow sexual assault to thrive. Ultimately, these stories shed light on how this epidemic affects us all.
It Was Rape began screening in December of 2012. This spring it will be part of film festivals, Take Back the Night events and anti-violence programming in Alabama, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Louisiana, Ohio, New York, and Arizona. To schedule a screening in your community or to purchase the film for institutional or advocacy use, please contact itwasrape@gmail.com.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT IT WAS RAPE
“The heartrending stories in this brave, intelligent, balanced, and above all honest film should be seen by every young woman and man.”—Alix Kates Shulman, author of Memoirs of An Ex-Prom Queen
“It Was Rape will change the way you think about this most terrible—and most everyday—of crimes. It’s heartrending, brave, and important.”—Katha Pollitt, “Subject to Debate” columnist, The Nation
"In the U.S., an average of 207,754 people are raped annually—that's one every two minutes. It Was Rape translates these staggering statistics into real stories. It shakes you to the core, and no matter how much you think you "know" about rape, it shifts your framework for understanding it. If every politician on Capitol Hill watched this film, the Violence Against Women act would pass unanimously, and if every 16-year-old saw this in health class, we might just be able to put an end to this epidemic. This film has the power to make the world a safer place."—Emily May, founder and Executive Director, Hollaback!
“It Was Rape is a profound, intensely striking and incredibly important film that every young person, every parent, every sexually active individual - everywhere - should see. After one week of viewing the film, its resonance still tingles inside of me. What a gift Jennifer has created.”—Randi Orlow, Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey
"It Was Rape boldly explores sexual violence through the experiences of survivors. This film both challenges the audience to think about sexual violence in a deeper, more nuanced way, and inspires genuine empathy for individuals impacted by violence." —Sarah Dodd, Assistant Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention Programs at North Dakota State University
"It Was Rape is one of the best documentaries I've seen on this issue. A must-see for any classroom discussing the issue of rape."—Kelly Finley, Lecturer, Women's and Gender Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
"If [It Was Rape] starts a conversation, it won't be a quiet one, which is just what Ms. Baumgardner wants."—Susan Dominus, New York Times
