A powerful new documentary examining the question of abused and neglected children in family courts will premier in Anchorage, Alaska on October 14 at 7 pm in Room 166 of PSB (formerly Building K) on the UAA campus.

The documentary, “Breaking the Silence: Children’s Stories” focuses on the difficulties faced by abused mothers fighting for custody of their children. The film presents the stories of children who as a result of custody decisions continued to live with parents described as abusive.

“Abused parents in Alaska face the same obstacles to protecting their children as those faced by women across the country,” said Paige Hodson, founder of the Alaska Moms for Custodial Justice.

“Abusive parents often know how to manipulate the court process and they have the money to litigate the protective parent into poverty.” “Abusive parents sometimes threaten their partner that they will never see their children again if they leave them,” said Dr. Sharon Araji of the Department of Sociology at UAA. Araji has worked extensively as a researcher on issues presented by domestic violence.

At the October 14 screening, Hodson and Araji will be part of a panel including a court system representative, researchers, attorneys, and representatives of advocacy groups. The panel will discuss this video and the issues that arise for Alaskans who are faced with custody battles in which domestic violence is a factor in the case. The discussion will also include a question and answer session. Peter Ashman, a retired judge of the Alaska Court System will moderate the discussion.

The screening and discussion are sponsored by the UAA Department of Sociology, the UAA Justice Center, Alaska Moms for Custodial Justice, the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the Anchorage Domestic Violence Awareness Month Coalition and KAKM/KSKA.

The video will also air nationally on October 20.

For more information, contact: Department of Sociology, UAA, 786-1714 or the Justice Center, UAA, 786-1810