This Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we invite you to join us for a screening and discussion of Disfluency, a powerful film directed by Anna Baumgarten that explores the quiet, complex journey of surviving sexual trauma.
At the center of Disfluency is Jane—a college student, sister, daughter, and friend—who returns to her hometown after being sexually assaulted by a classmate and, as a result, does not graduate. What unfolds is not a sensationalized account of trauma, but an intimate, authentic portrayal of the psychological and emotional aftermath. The film carefully navigates the nuanced inner world of a survivor, illustrating how trauma disrupts not just memory and language, but everyday life, relationships, and one’s sense of self.
The film’s title, Disfluency, refers to speech disfluencies—pauses, hesitations, and repetitions—that reflect the struggle many survivors face in articulating their experiences. In Jane’s world, these disfluencies become a powerful metaphor: trauma doesn’t always appear in the form of flashbacks or tears—it can show up in the moments we fumble for words, retreat from connection, or find ourselves unable to explain the weight we carry.
As Jane reconnects with her family and friends over the summer, we see how healing is often nonlinear, fragile, and shaped by the people around us. The film gently examines the roles her sister, parents, friends, and professor play in her recovery, ultimately raising a critical question for all of us: How do we respond when someone we love tells us they’ve been hurt?
Disfluency doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, it offers truth—unflinching and compassionate. It acknowledges the guilt and shame many survivors unjustly carry and honors the deeply personal process of reclaiming one’s life and identity after trauma. Survivors define healing, justice, and safety on their own terms—and Jane’s story affirms that every step forward matters.
Earlier this year, with support and guidance from Anna Baumgarten, The Alliance hosted private screenings of Disfluency for advocates and prevention educators at our Member Centers in Connecticut. These screenings affirmed what we already felt: that this film offers survivors something rare—validation and hope—without falling into the trap of toxic positivity or suggesting that recovery is a linear, easy, or universal experience.
Now, we’re bringing Disfluency to the wider community.
Join us on Monday, April 28th at 5:00 PM for a free film screening and panel discussion co-hosted by The Alliance, the YWCA Sexual Assault Crisis Services team, and Central Connecticut State University. This special event will open space for honest conversation around campus sexual violence, healing, and how we—as friends, family, educators, and advocates—can support the survivors in our lives.
👉 [Register here for the April 28th event]
Can’t make it?
- Attend The Rowan Center’s Disfluency Film Screening at 6:30 PM on April 23rd at the Darien Public Library.
- Disfluency is available to rent or purchase on Amazon, YouTube, Apple TV, and other streaming platforms.