The Story Behind A Sense of Purpose: Fighting For Our Lives Movie
According to the Department of Defense, it’s estimated that 22 American military veterans die by suicide every day. That’s nearly one every hour, of every day, of every week, of every month. That’s over 8,000 veterans every year.
FACTS:
- 26,000 incidents of sexual assault and unwanted sexual touching were reported in 2012.
- Since 1991 military leaders have been stating that there will be “zero tolerance” of sexual assault, however, these stats clearly point out that the military is not living up to what they profess.
- According to U.S. military facts, women are more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by the enemy in Iraq or Afghanistan.
- Eighty percent of men and women don’t report being raped due to the pressure or fear of being singled out, shunned, losing their rank, negative responses from their unit or superior officers or retaliation.
As an author, screenwriter, producer and director I produce not only movies that have an entertainment element but an empowering side as well. Even with tough subject matters such as post-traumatic stress disorder and military sexual assault, there can be a balance, which I’ve tried to achieve in A Sense of Purpose: Fighting For Our Lives.
The movie, which is inspired by true events, highlights post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and military sexual trauma (MST) not only from the perspective of the lead character, Sgt. Diane Torres, (played by Tamara Woods), who was raped by her commanding officer, Captain Jake Nixon, (played by John Quinlan), but through the eyes of a man, as well. Michael Beason, an Army veteran, and sexual assault survivor, plays an important role as himself in the movie. In one scene, he discusses what happened to him when he was raped at his first training station in Korea. Twenty years later, Beason still struggles with PTSD as a result of what happened to him, but he is no longer a victim. He is the founder of the non-profit organization, From PTSD to Freedom.
A Sense of Purpose: Fighting For Our Lives was crafted over a period of three years as I did extensive research and was shocked to learn how many veterans and active duty men and women suffer from PTSD as a result of being sexually assaulted or raped while they served in the military. I also interview psychologists who treat veterans.
Unfortunately, rape or sexual assault in the military is America’s most shameful and best-kept secrets and it’s a rampant epidemic that needs to have more exposure. The public deserves to know what is taking place, especially parents who allow their sons and daughters to enlist.
As someone who served in the Army, I wanted to do my part to tell a very important story. I wanted to produce a film that stands up to injustice and showcases the ugliness that goes on in the military on a daily basis. This epidemic not only affects the men and women who serve, but their families, loved ones, children, friends, and society as a whole.
It is my hope that A Sense of Purpose: Fighting For Our Lives, which some may deem controversial, will have an impact on the military so changes can be instituted where men and women who serve will be safe and protected from this heinous crime.
#ASOPmovie #JillianBullock #JohnQuinlan #TamaraWoods
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