The Psi Beta chapter at Spartanburg Methodist College is pleased to announce they will screen Brave Miss World on Tuesday, February 24 in the college’s Davis Mission Chapel at 7 p.m. The public is invited and admission is free of charge.
At the age of 18, Miss Israel Linor Abargil was abducted, stabbed, and raped in Milan. She had to represent her country in the Miss World competition only six weeks later. When to her shock she was crowned the winner, she vowed to do something about the rape. The film follows her from that harrowing experience, to her crowning and throughout her crusade to fight for justice and break the silence. During her travels to speak out and meet with other rape victims, her own trauma begins to resurface. Her serial rapist becomes eligible for parole, and she has to hunt down his previous victims in order to help keep him behind bars. The film explores the trauma of sexual assault through one young woman’s journey from teenage rape victim to Miss World to empowered lawyer and activist.
“Brave Miss World is a powerful tool to help ignite conversations and change surrounding the issues of rape awareness and prevention,” shared Dr. Mary Jane Farmer, professor of psychology, and director of the SMC Psi Beta chapter. “The SMC Psi Beta chapter is pleased to bring this film to our community and campus. Our hope is that by doing so we can help make a difference and inspire dialogue that leads to healing and empowerment,” added Farmer.
Figures indicate that 80% of rapes are unreported. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of support from a rape victim’s family, friends and community.
“The people closest to a rape victim treat them differently when she needs them the most. Studies also attest that most rape cases occur within the family or by a person whom the victim knew prior to the rape. The law in many countries in the world is not on the side of rape victims, and the sentences for rape and sexual assault are terribly inadequate. Even in progressive nations, rape convictions are rare,” shared Lynn Hawkins, Executive Director of SAFE Homes- Rape Crisis in Spartanburg.
Psi Beta, the National Honor Society in Psychology for community and junior colleges, provides students with opportunities to acquire leadership skills, interact with faculty outside the classroom, learn more about the professional and educational choices available in psychology, meet outstanding professionals in psychology, participate in community service, meet peers with similar interests, and be involved with Psi Beta on the national level.
The SMC Psi Beta chapter, chartered on September 1, 1988, is under the direction of Dr. Mary Jane Farmer, professor of psychology. She is assisted by Pete Aylor, psychology professor and Director of SMC’s Counseling Center and Sue Onken, college counselor. Membership to Psi Beta is by invitation only. To be considered, students must have at least 12 college credits, earn a B or higher in PSYC 101, maintain a 3.25 GPA and be of good moral character.