Leader of Domestic Violence Shelter Which Helped Fund Breaking the Silence Criticizes Film

October 21, 2005

Calling Breaking the Silence imbalanced and focused on extreme cases, Pam Kallsen, executive director of the Marjaree Mason Center, a domestic violence shelter in Fresno, California, contacted her local PBS affiliate and told them she was distressed that her shelter's name and logo were associated with the program.

Kallsen had been a staunch supporter of the film project, even helping to secure funding for it, but says she changed her mind after seeing the film. She expressed her concerns last week to officials at Fresno's KVPT. She says:

"It portrayed the court system and attorneys as being very biased toward men and unconcerned for the safety of children and women. This may be the case in some areas of the U.S., but not ours. I believe our courts in Fresno County have gone out of their way to do what is best for the victims and especially for our children.

Kallsen also criticized the film for focusing on cases from the 1990s, noting that laws have changed since then. Kallsen's concerns were reported in the article PBS domestic violence show creates concern (Fresno Bee, 10/20/05).