Souhegan Senior Helps Bridge the Gap for Victims of Domestic Violence

By Rick Katzenberg

Kaitlyn Maloney, a senior at Souhegan High School, is putting the finishing touches on a documentary she filmed and edited on domestic violence and the services provided by Souhegan Valley’s, Bridges. As a non-profit organization, Bridges provides “services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, teen dating violence, child sexual abuse, elder abuse, stalking, and harassment,” 

After learning that Bridges faced closing its doors due to funding cuts Kaitlyn set out to use the film as a catalyst for building awareness of and raising money for Bridges’ plight. Subsequently, her efforts transformed into creating a moving story about the problems faced by victims of domestic violence. With beginnings as a public service announcement-like film, 16 months later it is a 38-minute in-depth documentary. “It offers Bridges the chance to bring the issue of domestic violence to the public,” Kaitlyn says.   

Indeed, Kaitlyn’s filming of victims of domestic and relationship violence serves as a moving testament to its destructive nature, but also to the healing power of film. “Each of the five victims of domestic violence told me that helping with this project, telling their story, is helping them to recover from the after-effects – physically, emotionally, mentally, even verbally,” Kaitlyn says. “It helped them adjust to a more normal life. They were really willing to share their stories. They were very hopeful that it would help save others from a downward spiral that they can’t get out of.”

Not only does the film include interviews with domestic violence victims and Bridges staff, but Kaitlyn’s in-depth investigation led her to interview a judge, two policemen and court advocates as well. Perhaps the most valuable feature of the film is that, because of her ability to include young people who are victims of violence, students will be better equipped to look for signs of problems and alert adults who can help. The film provides a range of opportunities for the viewer to learn and become more proactive. It is a real teaching tool on an important but under-covered community problem.  

After an initial viewing of the documentary, the Bridges staff was very proud of their clients and the way that they were able to “hold themselves together and discuss openly and candidly their troubles and issues, some of which were a decade old and some very current,” Kaitlyn said.

When asked how her high school education helped makes the documentary a successful project, Kaitlyn replied, “No question that the help of the faculty and staff of the High School made this possible. The philosophy of our school system also helped me succeed. Souhegan pedagogy doesn’t teach just how to take tests or use strict memorization. The complex thinking and collaborative worker aspects and all the Academic Learner Expectations that we focus on at Souhegan gave me a way to monitor my growth as a person and tackle this. Supportive community members also helped me better understand the hidden issues that are present in our community and how we each can help by doing ‘something.’” 

Kaitlyn hopes to present the film at Amherst Middle School for Project Safeguard and at schools in the area along with the Bridge’s staff who recognize its power as part of an education programs for teens. Kaitlyn also anticipates showing the film on local access cable and to local organizations, like the Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, churches, and PTAs as a catalyst for both awareness and fund-raising.

Kaitlyn has since earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Girl Scouts. Her future is indeed bright. She has a clearer vision and purpose for her life. “Before this project, I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future. And now I know that I need to make a difference, need to help people. The projects will only get more complex, interesting and rewarding from here. 

“One more thing – I believe it is important for young people to realize how much they can accomplish with their talents, passion, and motivation. There are so many resources available to students, including tons of teachers who are doing such amazing things beyond their basic teaching. Souhegan is such an exciting place in which to learn.”

For more information about Kaitlyn’s documentary or Bridges, contact Dawn Reams, Bridges’ Executive Director, at (603)-889-0858.

(This story was originally submitted to the Amherst Citizen and has been posted here with permission from the author)