A sexual assault survivor confronts Amish silence on abuse and helps others seek justice.
Independent Lens “Keep Quiet and Forgive” airs Monday, March 23 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.
The film chronicles 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 among Amish survivors.
Growing up in Amish Bluff Country in Southern Minnesota, Lizzie was immersed in the traditions of her Swartzentruber Amish community, where “forgive and forget” was a guiding principle. However, sexual abuse is widely regarded as an open secret in many Amish communities. While some communities have begun supporting victims, many continue to silence survivors, pressuring them to forgive their abusers publicly and discouraging police involvement in favor of handling abuse internally. The film follows Lizzie as she bravely sets out to challenge this culture of silence.
Photo: Lizzie Hershberger talking with Katrina Borntreger