REVIEWS

" I don't think I have ever been as moved by a movie or documentary or TV show as I was last night watching your production. I didn't sleep much last night and can't get it off of my mind. " -Hugh Jacobs

" Compelling, powerful, elegant. Congratulations on that rarest of achievements: 90 minutes of important TV. Can you get an Emmy AND an Oscar? " -Jack Kuenzie

" You are to be congratulated on one of the most powerful films I have ever seen.  I could barely breathe watching it. " -Barb Nicolai

 " I just saw your documentary for the first time this evening (I stumbled on it by accident while channel surfing) and was completely and totally transfixed." -Dana Downs
 
" The Joanna Katz story was amazing...the woman was BRAVE, BRAVE , BRAVE! "  -Fred Satoris

LETTERS

Dear Joanna,

I'll be honest with you, Joanna. I'm having a very difficult time teaching my students today. I'm consumed with your film's images and messages. I thought I knew your story. In reality, I didn't know a thing. After experiencing your documentary, I viewed your website last night and again this morning. You and Liz have created the single most powerful video I've ever seen.
It's going to take me a while to process the information I've received from your documentary and website. I'm not sure, at this moment, what to do with the information I've received. I know, however, that I have to do something. What is happening to you is not only wrong, it's incomprehensible.
I'm proud to know you, Joanna. I'll be honored to help you in your effort to elicit change in a system that currently is unbelievably demanding and inconsiderate of its victims. Count me in.

Paula Amick
amickp@aol.com

Hi Liz and Joanna -

I just wanted to congratulate you on the release of "Sentencing the Victim". I thought it was very well done. I know that you both have put a LOT into this project, and that shows in the film. I am glad that through efforts such as yours, the laws are changing to make things better for victims and hold offenders more accountable. It takes great courage and a lot of dedication to fight for victims' rights. As a victim advocate and member of the Board of Directors for SCVAN, I thank you for your efforts.
I also want to say, Joanna, that I am very sorry for what the parole system has put you through. As a representative of that system, I want to offer you my personal apology. Our agency has tried to consolidate the hearings, but I am sincerely sorry that the law does not allow us to schedule all five offenders at the same time. At the very least, you should only have to come once a year, and we will continue our efforts to accomplish that goal. If you ever receive letters indicating the offenders will have different dates (that are eligible in the same year), please let me know immediately and I will do what I can to fix the situation.You have made some very good points, and maybe we can get some other things changed as a result of your efforts.
Lastly, Joanna, I just want to say how truly sorry I am that you became a victim of crime. You have been through a horrendous ordeal (including the criminal justice system), and you are one courageous woman. You are an inspiration to victim service providers, and, I'm sure, to other victims whohave been through similar situations. If I can ever be of assistance to either of you, please call.
Again, congratulations on the success of your film.

Marian Lindsey
Director - Office of Victim Services
SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services