05/10/2026
An insightful film, well worth watching
SAVE THE DATES!
FILMSCENE & DVIP/RVAP & JC SART PRESENT:
Two upcoming events!
On May 19 at 7pm, FilmScene (at Chauncey) will host a screening of Keep Quiet and Forgive. DVIP/RVAP and JC SART (Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team) will both have representatives at the screening, along with resources and information on how to receive help, volunteer, and donate.
After the screening there will be a discussion with Lizzie Hershberger led by Rachel Yoder, followed by an opportunity to buy a signed copy of Lizzie's book Behind Blue Curtains: A True Crime Memoir of an Amish Woman's Survival, Escape, and Pursuit of Justice.
On May 23 at 1pm, the organizations will host a follow-up panel discussion at the Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A. Panelists include Shell Feijo and Alesha Packer of DVIP/RVAP and Katy Rasmussen of JC SART.
About the documentary:
Based on groundbreaking reporting, Keep Quiet and Forgive follows the courageous journey of Lizzie Hershberger, a former Amish woman who breaks her silence about sexual abuse in her community and ignites a nationwide movement of Amish survivors. Growing up in a traditional Minnesotan Swartzentruber Amish community, Lizzie was taught to “forgive and forget.” But nearly 30 years after experiencing her own traumatic r**e, she takes the bold step to report her case to the police — challenging Amish communities everywhere to confront and address hidden abuse.
As Lizzie travels across the country, she becomes a beacon of hope for Amish and Mennonite survivors navigating generational trauma, deep-rooted shame, family ties and su***de. Her mission doesn’t stop at breaking the silence; she also helps others navigate the difficult path of rebuilding their lives after being excommunicated from Amish culture. Filmed over five years in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Missouri, Indiana, and Wisconsin, Keep Quiet and Forgive offers an eye-opening look into one of the world’s most insular communities.
