Women's Fund of Greater Fort Wayne to Host Free Screening of "I Am Evidence"
The Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne invites the community to a free screening of the powerful documentary “I Am Evidence” on October 23rd, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Cinema Center, 437 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. This gripping documentary tells the story of four survivors whose rape kits went untested for years. The film reveals the historic nature of the way we treat the crime of sexual assault in our country and the positive effects that occur when perpetrators are held accountable and survivors are given an opportunity for healing and justice.
Produced by Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation, "I Am Evidence" documents the pervasive backlog of untested rape kits in the U.S., with a focus on how this injustice impacts survivors of sexual assault. The film is a powerful call to action, demanding reform in the way law enforcement handles sexual violence cases.
Following the screening, Shawn Callahan, Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center; Melissa Grossman, Amani Family Services; Emma Walker, YWCA Northeast Indiana, and Serafina Salamo, Forensic Biology Supervisor from the Indiana State Police, will host a panel discussion to address the current status of Indiana’s rape kit backlog and discuss ongoing efforts to improve the system. Attendees will be able to engage in a meaningful conversation about how local communities can ensure justice for survivors and prevent future backlogs. Postcards will also be provided so that guests can write state representatives about the need to pass rape kit reform laws in Indiana.
A report by the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault revealed that as of 2021, there were over 5,500 untested sexual assault kits in Indiana’s law enforcement agencies. Indiana has the second-highest untested sexual assault kit backlog in the nation, trailing only behind California. According to data from the Indiana State Police, there were 4,787 reported cases of rape in Indiana in 2019, and an estimated 12.8% of Hoosier women have experienced rape in their lifetime.
To learn more about the movie or save your seat, please visit womensfundfw.org/events.