Powerful PBS Documentary on Domestic Violence to Premiere at Newseum on May 18; Actress and Activist Mariska Hargitay to Introduce the Film and Speak

WASHINGTON, May 11 /PRNewswire/ — Actress and domestic violence prevention activist Mariska Hargitay, of NBC-TV’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” will introduce and appear in “Telling Amy’s Story,” a powerful documentary on domestic violence that will premiere May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Newseum, prior to being broadcast on PBS stations nationwide starting in June. The documentary, created by Penn State Public Broadcasting, chronicles the time leading up to the death of Amy Homan McGee, a mother of two who was shot and killed by her husband. A question-and-answer session to include Sheryl Cates, president and CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, will follow.

    WHO:         Mariska Hargitay, actress and founder of the Joyful
                  Heart Foundation

                 Tom Perrelli, associate attorney general of the United
                  States

                 Sheryl Cates, president and CEO, the National Domestic
                  Violence Hotline

                 Deirdri Fishel, detective, State College (Pa.) Police
                  Department, who stars in the film

                 Melanie Doebler, director, Penn State Public Broadcasting

                 Steve Garban, vice chairman, Pennsylvania State
                  University Board of Trustees

                 Dan Mead, chief operating officer, Verizon Wireless

                 Kathryn C. Brown, senior vice president, public policy
                  development and corporate responsibility, Verizon

    WHAT:        Premiere of "Telling Amy's Story," followed by
                 question-and-answer session

    WHEN:        6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 18

                 Media invited to arrive at 6:15 p.m. p.m. to set up
                  for arrivals, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

                 6:30 pm. - 7:15 p.m. reception, interviews available
                  upon request.

                 7:30 p.m. - "Telling Amy's Story" premiere

    WHERE:       Newseum
                 555 Pennsylvania Ave. Northwest
                 Washington, D.C.

    BACKGROUND:  "Telling Amy's Story" will begin airing on PBS
                 stations throughout the country on June. 1. The
                 documentary expands on a partnership between Penn
                 State University and the Verizon Foundation to
                 address the issue of domestic violence. The
                 foundation awarded grants of $385,000 to Penn State
                 to fund a domestic violence prevention training
                 program for Penn State students and faculty and to
                 create the "Telling Amy's Story" documentary.

SOURCE Verizon