'Sin by Silence' tells story of triumph

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Domestic violence affects one in three women in the U.S. One victim of domestic violence victim is sharing her story with the hope of helping others.

"I was very young when I met my abuser. I thought he was my knight in shining armor," Brenda Clubine said.

Clubine said she missed the tell-tale signs of abuse early on in her marriage. But before long, it was too late.

"I knew as the violence escalated between us that there was going to be a time when my life was going to be in jeopardy because he continually told me he was going to kill me. One night I was forced to defend myself and ultimately, he died because of it," Clubine said.

Clubine was sentenced to life in a California prison. It was there, she formed the Convicted Women Against Abuse. Olivia Klaus chronicles these women in the film, "Sin by Silence."

"We used this opportunity to learn from them because they are experts on this issue. They are the women who survived what countless women do not survive in this country," Klaus said.

After serving 26 years in prison, Clubine was released last year. The YWCA and Helen Magazine brought Clubine and Klaus to Lafayette to share this story. Klaus said the most surprising thing she learned was that domestic violence can happen to anyone.

"These women that we document in 'Sin By Silence' could be my mother, they could be my grandmother, they could even be myself. The tragedy of domestic violence is that it has no boundaries," Klaus said.

Clubine said she is inspired as she travels the country speaking to groups. She wants other women to know, they are not alone.

"If we can touch just one life, just one person who has been too ashamed and is carrying that guilt around and that fear and not knowing where to turn or where to go. To let them know they have hope and they have a chance and there is a place like the YWCA-DVIP," Clubine said.

For more information on "Sin by Silence" click here .

If you are in an abusive relationship, there is help. Call (765) 423-1118 or (800) 799-7233.