Talos Films has signed an exclusive access deal with the women surrounding the Liberty University sexual assault scandal, to produce a docuemnatry in search of justice . “Talos is honored to be documenting this courageous group of women who have gone public despite the trauma they have suffered, as they not only fight for justice for themselves, but also attempt to force Liberty University to change its policies and ensure no other women have to suffer similar abuse and cover-ups," Elli Hakami, co-Founder, Talos Films said.
Executive Producers for The Liberty University Project (w/t) are Tom Arnold, and Talos Films co-Founders Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs. Talos Films recently aired critically acclaimed Queen of Meth on Discovery+, the definitive story of Lori Arnold’s unlikely rise as a drug “queen pin” in rural Ohio. The series is being produced in association with Tom Arnold, who was featured in the podcast, Gangster Capitalism, which brought the stories of many Liberty survivors to light and helped to generate the lawsuit, “Jane Does 1 – 12 v Liberty University”.
"While on campus at Liberty University, I was the star student activist and three-term class president. During my senior year, I was raped. Safety for victimized students at Liberty University has been my number one concern in coming forward now - from writing a petition to the General Counsel this May to being in the first cohort of the lawsuit. This documentary will assure my assault and this moment of justice are not covered up," Chelsea Andrews, who was originally known as ‘Jane Doe 7’ in the lawsuit, said.
The ongoing scandal at Liberty University, founded by Southern Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell, has revealed numerous cases of alleged sexual assault over the last two decades, where the university took no meaningful action against the alleged perpetrators and attempted to dimiss the accusations, but 22 former studnets stepped up to retialiate in a legal case to make those involved be held accountable. "The Liberty University Project" (working title) will also explore the darker side of the influence and power wielded by the University founded by Southern Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell in 1971 and headed by his son Jerry Falwell Jr. until his resignation in the spring of 2021 in the wake of his own sexual scandal.
“It's been 12 years since I started my journey from burning in ashes to finding inner peace. Purity culture demands you remain “untouched”; once gone, you have no value. I finally have my voice and know my value as a woman – but these things were stolen from me by my assailants and then again by those entrusted with my safety," Heather Wendel, ‘Jane Doe 13’ in the lawsuit, said. "I’m doing this documentary to start a transformation on all college campuses, across the nation, so the kids that will come after me don’t suffer, or struggle the way I did, and still do. I'm doing this to help create a better, safer future that holds people accountable.”
Talos is honored to be documenting this courageous group of women who have gone public despite the trauma they have suffered, as they not only fight for justice for themselves, but also attempt to force Liberty University to change its policies and ensure no other women have to suffer similar abuse and cover-ups. ” Elli Hakami Co-founder, Talos Films
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