Unveiling the Silence: NO! The Rape Documentary Study Guide

November 24, 2007

Unveiling the Silence: NO! The Rape Documentary Study Guide is available for purchase.

Created by Salamishah Tillet, Ph.D., and Rachel Afi Quinn, with the creative and editorial direction of Aishah Shahidah Simmons, producer, writer, and director of NO!, this 100-page interactive study guide may be used within a workshop, class session, or semester-long course. You may decide to screen the documentary film in its entirety or use segments integrated into a broader course addressing race, gender, and sexuality.

Viewing the film in segments allows for discussion related to themed sections. You may choose to work through the study guide chapter by chapter, or use it as a jumping off point for student-led exercises or longer activities.

A tool for everyone. Our hope is that this study guide will be used as a companion to the film NO! by all individuals who are taking action in their communities to educate themselves and each other about rape and sexual assault. The film will get conversations going in your communities and on your campuses. You might host a screening of the film as a one-time event in your dorm, classroom, church, mosque, rape crisis center, shelter, correctional facility, living room, or in a community space, and facilitate a group discussion immediately following the screening or in the days following.

Unveiling the Silence: NO! The Rape Documentary Study Guide includes:

Producer/Director Statement

Summaries of the different DVD chapters of NO! The Rape Documentary

Excerpts from the transcribed testimonies of rape survivors and quotes from the documentary to spark discussion

Myths and facts about rape and sexual assault so participants in discussions have relevant information regarding the truth about sexual violence and its impact

A glossary of terms useful for talking about sexual assault in the African-American community

Discussion questions about the subject of sexual assault to promote positive and informative conversations for participants

Worksheets and handouts for participants to use to reflect on what they think they know about rape and sexual violence in their communities

Additional essays on the role of religion in violence against women and the role of dance in healing sexual violence

Production stills from the documentary.

A bibliography of books, journals and articles on sexual violence

A detailed listing of national organizations that address all forms of sexual violence