Vanguard Goes Beyond the Classroom to the Capitol

Olivia Klaus graduated from Vanguard University in 1999 and has since gone on to become an award-winning documentary filmmaker who passionately believes in the power of visual stories to create positive social change.  Her various roles in production have helped create projects that have dealt with such issues as human rights, incarceration, poverty, and domestic violence.  Her work has been seen on various networks like CNN, HLN, Showtime, and The History Channel.  She was listed by Pixel Project as one of the top 16 influential leaders in the movement to end violence against women.

Olivia founded Quiet Little Place productions, an independent production company devoted to producing innovative and socially relevant stories for the screen and the web.  In 2009, Olivia directed and produced Sin by Silence as the company’s first documentary endeavor.  This film, about the first inmate led battered women’s group in the US prison system, went on to win numerous film festival and advocacy awards, as well as be featured in People Magazine and CNN.  The Stop the Violence campaign, created to enhance the film’s movement and impact, was a catalyst that significantly furthered the fight against domestic violence through a national community tour and innovative online initiative.

Success at the Capitol

The Sin by Silence Bills PASSED the Senate Public Safety Committee! This is a significant step forward as the bills now move on to the Senate floor for the final vote, and then on to the Governor’s desk for final approval. As these bills approach the stage of becoming official legislation, we are honored to have you along on this journey.

Our very own survivors, Brenda Clubine (released in 2008), Norma Cumpian (released in 2011), along with Olivia Klaus (Director/Producer of Sin by Silence) gave testimony to the California State Senate on the crucial need to help incarcerated battered women. A rally on the North steps of the Capitol was also held as advocates from across the state came to support our Sin by Silence Bills (AB 593 & AB 1593), as well as other legislation (AB 1270), to call for transparency in California’s troubled prison system. It truly was an incredible day of making a difference!

If you want to learn more about the Sin by Silence bills visit SinBySilenceBill.com