NEWS

from Central Connecticut State University
Honored as a "Leadership Institution" by the Association of American Colleges & Universities

Media contact: Peter Kilduff, Director of University Relations
(860) 832-1791; Kilduff@ccsu.edu


Academy Award® winning film director Margaret Lazarus to speak at CCSU’s Women’s Center; her documentary film “Defending Our Lives” to be shown on October 17 at 3 p.m.; public invited at no charge

NEW BRITAIN – October 12, 2007 -- The Ruthe Boyea Women’s Center at Central Connecticut State University will host Academy Award® winning film director Margaret Lazarus and show her film, “Defending Our Lives,” which details the magnitude and severity of domestic violence in this country.

Ms. Lazarus’ talk and her film will be presented on Wednesday, October 17 in the Carlton Room in CCSU’s Student Center at 3 p.m.  The event is open to the public at no charge, and free parking is available in CCSU parking lots.

“Domestic violence is the single greatest cause of injury to women in America -- more than muggings, rapes, and car accidents combined,” notes CCSU Women’s Center Coordinator Jacqueline Cobbina-Boivin. “A woman in the U.S. is more likely to be killed by her partner than by any other assailant.”

Margaret Lazarus’ film focuses on four women imprisoned for killing their batterers, with each woman telling her own horrific tale of beatings, rape and torture at the hands of her husband or boyfriend. They talk of being stalked, harassed and threatened with death, particularly after attempting to leave their abusive partners.

“These stories attest to the failure of the criminal justice system to protect victims of domestic violence -- from un-enforced restraining orders, to reluctant law enforcement officials, to the courts' refusal to accept the special nature of their defense,” Lazarus said.

“These women were forced to defend their lives, and this documentary captures the cruel irony of putting them behind bars once they have finally escaped their abusers. They have chosen to share their stories, hoping to inspire creative strategies for ending this violence,” according to Lazarus. 

“Defending Our Lives” aims to educate people about domestic violence and to spur legislative and judicial reform. It is appropriate for people working on any aspect of this issue, including general education, legal reform, police training, battered women advocacy, counseling, prosecution and defense, human rights activism and community education.

The Ruthe Boyea Women’s Center provides resources, advocates, informs, and supports personal development. The Center offers a variety of services for and about women including educational and cultural programs to promote gender equity, knowledge of women’s rights issues, leadership, and independence. The Center encourages understanding and cooperation among women of varied socio-economic groups, cultures, ethnic backgrounds, races and sexual orientations.

The Center is open to the entire CCSU community, men and women. The Women's Center values and celebrates the multiplicity of women's lives; recognizes the intersections of gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, and other significant aspects of individual and cultural identity; accepts responsibility for opposing injustice; and commits itself to service to the University and larger communities. More information about the Center is on-line at:  http://www.ccsu.edu/womenctr/default.htm.

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