A panel on domestic violence and a screening of “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” was presented by Moorpark College’s RAINN/NOMORE club in the upper quad on April 12.

The club presented the movie and forum to bring more awareness to the problems of sexual assault and domestic violence in college communities.

“Divided we are silenced and together we can end domestic violence and sexual assault,” said club president Elana Marino.

Domestic violence and sexual assault is a theme throughout “Three Billboards” as well as class and race struggle. The film’s theme paralleled the topics of the forum and current movements to help stop and change the climates that suppress or allow these issues to take place without repercussion or support for people affected by them.

The forum was hosted by Moorpark College’s Associated Students and featured criminal defense attorney Stacey Hassan and Sociology professor Kari Meyers. Meyers also advises the club. Both answered students’ questions on why so many of these crimes go under/unreported.

“We live in a patriarchal society and it has been since the conception of the United States that men have power over women and women are hysterical and don’t know what they’re saying,” said Meyers. “They/re crazy and men have been the rational.”

Echoes of a culture quickly changing and the higher rate of harassment for men and women in college play into the creation of new movements. Movements like #MeToo have helped give people the courage to come out 10, 20 and 30 years later, said Meyers. Hassan also spoke to the #MeToo movement.

“I think everybody or every female has experienced some sort of sexual harassment or abuse,” said Hassan.

Recent movements have improved the situation a little but there is a lot of room for improvement. Domestic violence reporting was also a topic of the panel; the question of why so many cases go unreported was answered by Hassan.

“I think people don’t report it because they are afraid they’re going to have to go to court and face people like me,” said Hassan. “Defense Attorneys.”

After the Panel students stayed for the movie night, bringing blankets and enjoying the film on the grass in front of an inflatable movie screen set up in the quad. Associated Students puts on movie nights frequently on campus in relation to holidays or club activities.

For more information on Associated Students or the RAINN/NOMORE club visit the Moorpark College website.