Documentary and panel discussion examines police reform and domestic violence

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — University of Northern Iowa’s Patricia A. Tomson Center for Violence Prevention is hosting a free screening of the documentary film, “This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep” at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Bringing together the producers, impact producers and filmmakers from “The Homestretch” (2015 News and Documentary Emmy-winner), “Audrey & Daisy,” “Private Violence” and “Bully,” the film brings a unique depth to the dialogue around police reform and challenges perceptions of violence against women and children.

“This is Where I Learned Not to Sleep” follows decorated Nashville police officer Lt. Mark Wynn as he wrestles with his violent childhood while working to reform decades of domestic violence mishandling, cover-ups and abuse from deep within law enforcement. Lt. Wynn challenges fellow police officers to end generations of disregard and systemic failures around domestic violence. While training officers in rural Texas, Lt. Wynn revisits his childhood home for the first time since he escaped as a child and confronts his family’s traumatic past. 

With access to sensitive police trainings, the film also explores the complex relationship between police and family violence. By revealing his own haunting childhood, Lt. Wynn challenges other men to stand up and reform the system to better help women and children. “Men create 95% of these crimes – it’s up to us to stop the violence,” Lt. Wynn states in the film.

Film subject Mark Wynn and director Kirsten Kelly will take part in a Q&A discussion after the film alongside community representatives Stacy Hesse, police officer of the Waterloo Police Department, Nelly Hill, director of domestic violence victim services from Waypoint Services, and Michael Schreck, treatment services manager of 1st District Department of Corrections. A reception will also be held prior to the film, beginning at 6 p.m.

“Our center has worked alongside executive producer Cindy Waitt for many years and has screened her previous documentaries in our community,” said Alysa Mozak, director of UNI’s Patricia A Tomson Center for Violence Prevention. “Mark Wynn is a renowned advocate in the law enforcement and corrections field, and we are pleased to share his story and have him speak to inform our community about the impact of domestic violence on our society.”

The screening is sponsored by the Patricia A. Tomson Center for Violence Prevention and The Kind World Foundation.