UH-Hilo Screening of ‘The Hunting Ground’

A public showing of the critically acclaimed documentary “The Hunting Ground” will be presented by the University of Hawai’i at Hilo on Monday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in University Classroom Building 100.

The film gives an in-depth, journalistic look at the issue of sexual assault on college campuses. Using raw footage and first-person testimonies, the documentary follows survivors and their families as they deal with the struggles following sexual assault, including coping with retaliation, harassment, pushback, and even university efforts to downplay and deny assaults.

Following the film, Dr. Jennifer Stotter, UH-Hilo’s Title IX Coordinator and EEO/AA Director, will debrief the audience and discuss issues of sexual assault on campus.

“The Hunting Ground” has been described as “a devastating indictment of campus ‘rape culture.’”

Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, the filmmakers of the documentary, are known for their chronicles of sexual assault.Their recent work,  “The Invisible War,” was Oscar-nominated. The film took a deep look at rape within the United States military.

“The Invisible War” won the Audience Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, the 2012 Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary, and the 2014 Emmy Award for Best Documentary and Outstanding Investigative Journalism.

UH-Hilo is presenting the public screening as part of the university’s Sexual Assault Awareness month that is happening on campus and is being sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, Student Health & Wellness Programs, and Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center.