Original subtitles

Are you okay?

Fine. I'm going to go inside and check things out. You all stay here now, and

I'll come back for you at the time. Okay.

Rachel.

It's going to be okay.

You nervous?

Terrified. You can still back out if it's your number.

No. I've come this far.

Mrs. Sarah Williams?

I have to take you in now.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, Mrs. Sarah Williams.

Ladies and gentlemen, my name is not Sarah Williams.

My name is Marianne Walker Tate, and I am a fugitive.

My children and I have been forced to live underground.

Under assumed names.

At this moment, I am in contempt of a court order.

And if the judge sees this hearing, I will be placed under arrest.

I might even be charged with kidnapping.

And I am not alone.

Catch. Keep working on it.

This is nice, isn't it?

Mm -hmm.

You're happy, aren't you, Daniel?

Hey, you two.

Seems like everyone's trying to get the last days of sun.

Yeah. You all have to come over to our place sometime.

Well, I don't know.

Maybe as soon as our boy gets back, you can come by.

You know, he's due home on leave any day.

We don't get out much, you know. I mean, well, with my schedule and the kids,

Mary Ann's up to her neck.

Well, if you all change your mind.

You know where we are. Third house there on the left.

Night.

Bye now.

Hey, Dad.

Want to play?

Yeah, sure, why not? I'll toss a few.

Honey.

What time are you going?

Bring in Jason.

Well,

don't

stay out too late, you two.

It's a school night, Jason.

Besides, it's getting chilly.

The prince looked everywhere.

But soon, the prince found a ballerina. Oh, it's good.

That's what I'm going to be.

A ballerina. Oh, a beautiful ballerina.

Mommy! Shh.

It's just Daddy and Jason.

What the hell took you so long to get down here, huh? What were you doing up

there, huh?

Where were you?

I was down there. Where?

Up there with Jokey.

She had trouble falling asleep.

Oh, yeah?

I had trouble falling asleep.

What do you do for me? Do you ever help me fall asleep at night?

No. Do you?

No. I mean, I don't know. I try. What do you ever do for me? What do you ever do

for me? Nothing. I don't do anything. Dad, no!

Get out of here! No!

Between you and me, leave him alone, please.

Please leave him alone.

You better get upstairs, baby.

Sit down.

What were you doing this afternoon?

I don't know what you're talking about.

With Mal?

He touched you.

He's our neighbor, Daniel.

Why was he touching you?

I don't know.

To be friendly.

To be friendly?

Yeah.

More than anyone.

want you.

What do you see, huh?

What do you see? God, Daniel, please don't. Don't.

Daniel, please don't. Please don't, Daniel. Please don't. That's all I ever

from you, isn't it? Please don't, Daniel. In bed at night when I want to

you. Please don't, Daniel. No, no, God, Daniel. It's not true. I love you. You

love me. I love you.

You love me.

You don't know how to love anyone.

You are incapable of love! Please stop! Please don't do this!

I got no use for you!

Use!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

What took you so long?

Nothing. I was talking with the guy.

Where's your sister?

I don't know. I didn't see her.

Would you go look for her, please? It's getting late.

It's okay, honey.

Let's get a move on. I have to go home.

Your day?

It was okay.

Can we go for ice cream before ballet?

Ballet? Oh, God. I forgot.

Josie, honey, I'm sorry. No ballet today.

But you promised.

We had to miss it last week, remember?

I have to practice.

Honey, listen.

Your father wants an early dinner, and I have to go to the market first.

But you promised me.

Look, I know I promised you, and I will make it up to you.

But I don't want to upset your father, see?

He wants to come by 5 o 'clock, and it's very important that I do this for him.

You understand me, Josie? I have to do this for Daddy.

Now, please.

God, honey, close the door.

Oh, Daniel, I'm sorry we're late. It's only by a few minutes. I hope that's

okay. Look at this.

Do you see this?

Huh? Marianne, look at this.

Josie, please. Damn it. Can't you shut her up?

You shut up. Daniel, no. Shut up.

Let me take her and Jason upstairs and get them settled, and you and I can

Maybe I can help you fix the rendering.

You're going to help me fix anything. You can't do anything right.

I asked you a week ago to get me some new pencils, didn't I? Didn't I?

I did.

They're in the death drawer.

Well, Marianne, you've got to leave them where I can find them. You stupid,

stupid woman.

Daniel, please.

Please just let me get the kids upstairs, and then I'll come right back

promise you. You can't even get food on that table on time. I know.

Do not leave me, Marianne.

I'm not leaving you, Daniel.

You are always looking for some reason to leave me for some way out.

Leave this house tonight.

have to go back downstairs and try and talk to daddy so i need you to be a very

good girl and stay up here with jason okay and jason i need you to stay in

please with the door closed no matter what happens you stay with her and try

keep her calm marianne i want you down here why did he do this why

he doesn't mean to hurt me i mean he just can't help himself sometimes i need

you to understand

I need you.

Marianne! Promise me, Jason.

Marianne!

I'm coming home.

Daniel, no. No, no, no.

No. Daniel.

Stop. Stop. Stop.

Daniel.

No. Daniel, first.

No. Daniel, first.

Stop, please.

Stop. Daniel.

Shut up.

She said she was going down to the kitchen. I heard a scream.

It took so long for me to get here.

Welcome back, my love.

Oh, you gave us all a scare.

Easy, easy, easy.

Everything's all right.

It's all right.

I love you, Marianne.

I want you to know that you mean everything to me.

Hey, may I come in?

Oh, look at these flowers.

They're beautiful.

They're from my husband.

Marianne. May I call you Marianne?

Good.

My name is Nancy Silverstone.

I'm a social worker here at the hospital, and I'm just checking to see

there's anything you need.

Just my kids.

I want to see them, but the doctor tells me I'm not ready yet.

He's right.

You need your peace.

They are my peace.

Why don't you take advantage of the quiet and get some rest?

You know, let yourself heal.

You were pretty badly hurt when they brought you in.

How did you get hurt?

I had an accident.

I was running down the stairs and I tripped over one of my daughter's toys.

At four in the morning?

It was dark.

Couldn't see.

Marianne, the bruises you have, the injuries, this isn't the first time

been admitted for a similar thing. It's all they are.

Are you sure?

Of course. What else would they be?

What are you getting at?

Nothing. They're just questions.

Look, I know this is tough, but we have to know.

See, we have reason to believe that your husband's been abusing you physically.

We're worried about you and your kids.

Have your husband been beating you?

It's okay.

You don't know me.

There's no reason for you to trust me.

Just listen for a minute.

You don't have to stay there and be hurt.

Day after day after day.

There's places for you to go.

Places that'll take you in and help you.

But my hands are tied unless you admit you're being abused.

Okay.

Why don't you just concentrate on getting well right now, huh?

Where's Mommy?

You know where she is.

Like last time.

She had to go to the hospital.

Did she die? No.

She'll be home soon.

She'll go back to sleep.

How's my girl?

Tired.

Come on, sit down.

Oh, these are for you.

I drove your car in today. I left it in the lock downstairs so it'll be there

when you're ready to leave.

I want things to be perfect for you, Marianne.

I want things to be right between us again.

How are the kids?

Everybody's fine.

I miss them so much.

They miss you.

You know, Daniel, I was thinking that maybe when I get out of here, I thought

maybe if it's okay with you that...

I might take the kids and go to my mother's.

You gonna leave?

Well, just for a few days.

Why?

Well, for a wreck, Daniel. I need a wreck.

Who's been talking to you, Marianne?

Nobody. Well, you want to get away from me, to leave me? Just for a while. Oh,

so you do plan to leave me? No.

No.

Everything's all twisted.

They've been telling you things about me here, Mary Ann. Trying to turn you

against me. No. I don't like you being around people. You know that.

It's because you believe everything they say.

Especially your mother. It is not good for us, Mary Ann. She's not even going

be there, Daniel. She's leaving town for a week. She was going to give me her

key. I don't care.

You're not going.

Because this is just another one of your stupid ploys to get out of the house?

That isn't true, Daniel. Yeah, well, you go.

If you go, I swear you will never see the kids again.

I'll make sure of it.

Oh, don't, don't say that. I mean it, Marianne.

I'll take those kids away from you for good. No, please, please, don't say

You're not fit to raise them, I mean. I can't, I can't handle this right now,

Daniel. I'm too tired. You can try to be Marianne. You're part of our life

together.

You answer me, Marianne.

Are you so tired of me you can't stand to have me around anymore?

I can't think right now, Daniel. I'm just...

I just came by to say goodbye and to give you this.

It's my office number.

Call me, you know, if you need anything or you just want to talk.

If you are being abused, Marianne, you need to get out of the house. Do you

understand me?

You've got to leave.

I can't.

My life is with Daniel.

The abuse is going to go on and on and on until he wears you down and did

nothing.

Or he kills you.

My place is with him.

He needs me.

You've got to deal with this, Marianne.

Daniel needs me.

Daniel?

Jason, Josie!

Please, somebody open the door!

Mommy!

Mommy! Go away, Marianne!

Daniel, what's going on? What are you doing with the children?

My children, Marianne! You don't live here anymore!

What are you talking about?

Daniel!

Daniel, let me in!

Let me see the children!

I'm getting a court order, Marianne.

What? A court order against you for abandonment. When I'm finished with you,

won't be able to come within a hundred feet of this house or the children.

Daniel, please.

My babies, please. Let me think. Get out of here! Why are you doing this?

What do you want from me? You'll abandon us, Marianne. You're going to move in

with your mother and leave me.

You told me yourself.

No.

Just for a little while, just to get back on my feet again.

You intended to leave me and take my children with you.

Now you have no right here anymore.

If you don't get out of here right now, I'm going to call the police and I'm

going to have you arrested.

Danny, just let me talk to you.

I want to talk to you, okay? Just let me in. Please let me in.

Miss miss one step out of the car, please Step

out of the car, please

It's okay ma 'am just like to see

some ID please it's in the car in my bag

This is Mary Ann Walker -Tate, 12745 West 3rd Street.

What are you doing out here?

How'd you get those bruises?

I had an accident.

What do you say we just get you on home?

No, see, I locked myself out of the house, and I really don't want to wake

anybody up.

So you just slept out here in your car all night?

Please.

If you want me to go somewhere else now, I will, but I really can't.

I really can't go home.

Thank you.

Got it.

Hey, my partner's going to make a call.

It seems there's a shelter not too far from here.

We can help you over there, but you have to talk to them first, okay?

Come on.

They can help you.

Okay?

Just have to talk to them for a few minutes, and then we'll escort you part

the way over.

All right?

Why don't you step down?

Any coffee you take while we get started?

No. Marianne, this lady is Louise Levy.

She's going to be sitting in with us for a while, if you don't mind.

Now, Louise is a social worker.

She's also a paralegal and what we call an advocate.

She helps our women with their cases, with their attorneys.

Now, attorneys, I don't need an attorney. What I need is to see my

Honey, let me tell you a little bit about where you are and what we do here.

This is a goppy house.

We're one of the oldest battered women's shelters in the area.

Now, there is nothing to be afraid of here. I can promise you that.

Now, what we do is we help women when they leave the home.

By the time they get to us, they're desperate.

Most of them got nothing but the clothes on their backs.

The only thing we require...

is that you go to counseling and workshops. Lock me out.

He threw me out, and now he's got my children.

He's got my children. When did he take them?

Yesterday.

No.

No, I... The day before, I can't remember.

But he said I wasn't to see them, and then he threatened me with a court order

so that I'd stay away from them. He's got no grounds.

He's just bullying you, Marianne.

Now, in the meantime...

Did you tell anybody about this?

Relatives, friends?

I don't have anybody.

Just my mother. What about her?

She doesn't know. Good. Don't tell her.

Don't you tell anybody where you are.

Not even your kids.

And this is very important.

It's for your protection as well as for the others.

Some of these guys, they come looking for their wives.

That's why we don't advertise.

No signs out front, right?

Me and Louise, we're going to help you file a restraining order just in case

that husband of yours gets restless and changes his mind about wanting you back.

My children? What about my children?

We're going to try to help you, but it may take a while.

No.

I can't take that chance. What if he hurts them?

Honey, me and Louise are going to do everything we can.

Eat your breakfast. Don't play with it.

I want Mommy.

Mommy is not here.

When is Mommy coming home? Mommy doesn't live here now. Mommy doesn't want to be

with us anymore.

Frankly, I don't care.

Well, doesn't she want to see or talk to us more?

I don't think so.

Jason, your mother is very selfish.

And she just does things, you know?

Mommy doesn't want to live with us anymore.

Mommy doesn't love us anymore.

It's up to us now.

We're going to have to do it all on our own. Okay?

It's just going to be the three of us now.

Nobody else. Just the three of us alone.

sex with him and uh you know beating me a little bit and then uh through he

goes he goes he says you know so what are you gonna do you know like tell your

friends and maybe i raped you or something

Come on now, Marianne.

You've got to get your feet wet here sometime.

You have to talk about those feelings.

All those nights.

How did it feel every time Daniel laid his hands on you?

I always thought that I was lucky to get him.

He was so smart and successful.

Okay, Mary Ann.

Come on, honey, it's time you haven't put anything here.

Because I have nothing to say?

Oh, please, come off it already.

You ain't hardly said a word since she brought your ass up in here. Rosalie.

What?

What?

You think you had any ruffet in the restaurant?

No.

You think your story is different from ours, right?

No. What the hell do you think we're doing here? Having a tea party?

Rosalie. Look, you have no right to talk to me like that. Well, somebody needs

to talk to you. You don't know me.

No, I don't know you, Miss High and Mighty. You don't know what my life is

You don't know.

You don't know about all those nights of his rage.

His hands on me.

Beating me, pounding me, pushing me into walls.

Near the ground.

He killed my baby.

What? He killed my baby.

How, honey?

How?

I was pregnant with our third child and... He hated it.

He hated me.

So he beat me.

He kicked me.

He kicked me so hard.

I miscarried and he killed my baby.

He killed my baby and now he's got my children.

I want my children back.

I want my children back.

How does it make you feel?

I hate him.

I'll put you a cup of tea.

Good to see you, Mama.

Thanks for coming. I wasn't sure you would.

What did you want?

Well, I wanted to talk to you, but first tell me about the kids. How are they?

Have you seen them?

They're fine, Marianne. I've only seen them once since... I've seen

them once since you left Daniel.

I didn't leave Daniel, Mother. He threw me out.

He changed the locks and he threw me out in the street.

Look, I really don't want to get involved.

This is your business. Whatever happens between you and your husband is private.

Do you have any

idea?

What my life with Daniel has been like all these years.

I assumed everything was fine.

Do you know that he beat me?

What do you want from me, Marianne?

Why did you ask me to meet you? Because I need you.

I'm scared, Mama. I am so scared.

I have nowhere to go.

Let me stay with you.

I can't.

It wouldn't work out. You know that.

All my life, you have pushed me away. Why?

What are you afraid of?

When I was a child, my mother was beaten by my father.

Day after day after day.

When she left, he came after me.

Oh, Mama.

You never told me. I never knew. We never talked about it. It was... We

just pretended everything was all right.

It's just the way things were.

By the time your father came, I wanted to die.

He pulled me out.

He saved me with his love.

But Daddy left us.

Before you were born, your father and I were very close.

We had dreams together.

Magical dreams.

Then you came.

I made a terrible mistake, Marianne.

I never should have had a child.

It was a terrible mistake.

Oh, I can't.

Hi. What's up?

I can't live like this anymore, Louise.

I want to file for divorce.

What happened?

I took a long look at myself.

And what did you see?

Me.

Nobody can get me through this, Louise. Nobody can help me. I've got to help

myself.

I want to make a life for me and my kids. I want them back with me.

Full custody.

Do you have any bank accounts or own any property?

No. Everything's in Daniel's name. Do you have any money at all?

Nothing.

Obviously, I have a problem.

Yeah, you do where the kids are concerned if you're going for full

Okay.

Then the first step is I... I get a job.

So, did you get anything?

Not yet.

Well, you look great.

Look like you really belong out there, you know?

So do you.

Nah, not me.

I don't know what's up with me. Lately, I've been all over the place.

Sometimes I feel like I'm just gonna explode.

I know.

Guess we all got to go through it, huh?

Rosalie, do you mind? I need to talk to Marianne. Yeah, no problem.

See you later.

What's wrong?

I was on my way to file your papers when I get a call from Daniel's attorney.

And? He's filed for divorce and he's charging you with abandonment and

desertion.

He can't do that.

Louise is lying.

Well, we can handle that in court, but that's not all of it.

He wants full custody of the kids.

What?

That's impossible.

Would the courts give him custody? I'm afraid he's got a good shot at it.

But I didn't leave him. I was in the hospital.

What about the beatings? They may not be admissible.

What? The law state says the judge must not hear the testimony of spousal abuse

in child custody cases.

Oh, that's insane.

What'll happen to the kids?

I honestly don't know.

I wish I could tell you they'd be fine, but I can't.

I just don't know.

Hey, look at you.

Oh, rough day, huh?

I don't know what I'm going to do, Mary.

Everything's closing in on me.

Well, you'll get a job soon.

You think it's that easy for me?

And you, you ain't been out there in years.

Well, maybe not, but look at me.

Take a good, long look at me.

It ain't just about the color of my skin.

There ain't no place out there for me.

In this whole world, I feel like there's just no place for me.

I'm going back to my husband.

Rosie, you can't.

I have to.

I don't know how to be out there on my own.

With him, it wasn't so bad.

But that... My man wants me back tonight.

Rosie, you... Hey, take this.

The job.

Ask for Walter.

Rosie, this is your chance. Look.

I know what I gotta do.

Are you Walter?

Yeah. What can I do for you?

I heard you had an opening. A friend of mine said...

You ever work in a restaurant before?

No, but I'm a quick learner.

You good with people?

I think so.

You got kids?

Two. They're with their father now.

You're on your own?

Yes.

But I have been cooking and serving three meals a day to a house full for

last 12 years, so I really, really know what I'm doing.

When can you start?

Oh, well, right now, today.

You come on Thursday. It's quiet. I'll start you then.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Hey, 9 o 'clock.

Don't be late.

Did I remember to say thank you?

Thank you.

Thank you.

So he hired me on the spot. I still can't believe it. I've got a job.

How much is he paying you?

I don't know.

I forgot to ask.

Oh, my God.

Well, it's still a long way from what I started out to be. Oh, yeah? What was

that? Oh, nothing. You'll laugh.

Oh, come on. You know me better than that one.

A dancer?

I wanted to dance.

Your Honor, strictly for purposes of determination at this temporary custody

hearing... I beg the court to allow me to introduce as evidence the hospital

records of Mrs. Mary Ann Walker Tate. I'm sorry, Ms. Morales. I cannot allow

testimony of spousal abuse in this court. Please, Your Honor. These were

minor incidents.

These were episodes which went on at times for days.

Mrs. Tate was so severely beaten and traumatized, she had to be hospitalized

more than one occasion. Even if I wanted to, I could not accept this.

The issue of abuse is only her worth. But, Your Honor... That's all, Ms.

Morales. Now, the assertions against your client... Very serious.

Mr. Tate is claiming desertion and abandonment by your client. That's

outrageous, Your Honor.

My client was hospitalized because of the beatings. Upon her return to the

she found all her locks had been changed. I couldn't get into my own

Mrs. Tate. Your Honor, please, you have to listen to me. Mrs. Morales, you're

going to have to control your client or I'll have to place her in contempt.

Calm down.

Now, Mrs. Tate, it says here that you are petitioning the court for full

of your children.

Where do you reside?

Right now, I'm staying in a shelter.

A shelter for battered women.

When will you be leaving the shelter?

In three weeks.

And do you have a place to live when you leave? She will by the time she leaves,

Your Honor.

Mrs. Tate, do you have a job?

Yes. What do you do?

I'm a hostess at a restaurant.

And Mr.

Tate is a successful architect with a sizable income.

He currently resides at his family home with the children.

In light of the information presented in this court today, I'm awarding full

custody on a temporary basis to the children's father.

No, Your Honor, please. If you would just hear our testimony as to the kind

man that Daniel Tate is. Mr.

Tate's character is not on trial here, Your Honor. No, no, please don't take my

children away.

Mrs. Tate will be given weekend visitation privileges.

How can he do this?

You're lying, Daniel. I never abandoned you.

I'm begging you, Your Honor. Please don't take my children away from me.

Please don't take my children.

Please. Please don't take my children away. Please.

What are you going to tell them when they ask you why you left?

Why you haven't seen them?

I'm going to tell them the truth.

I love them too much to lie to them, and every time I cover for Daniel, I'm...

I'm lying.

There they are. Oh, Louise, there they are.

back by five, Miriam.

This arrangement is just until I'm more settled in. By five?

No later.

It's so good to see you guys.

Oh, I've missed you so much.

So, what do you want to do, huh?

Well, I thought maybe we could...

and bring it back to my place, and then you guys can help me paint my apartment.

All your favorite colors.

We'll fix it up together. How's that sound?

Oh, come on, you guys. What do you think, huh?

It's okay.

Now, I thought we should walk just like we used to.

Jason?

You didn't finish telling me about school.

Can I talk?

Oh,

Josie, honey, be careful. I don't have much turpentine left.

Daddy won't let me take ballet anymore.

What, honey?

Daddy won't let me take ballet anymore.

Why not?

Because it's not good for me to be around all those other kids.

I don't care what Daddy says.

I don't like it there without you.

Lucy!

Lucy! Get over here! You're so stupid!

Listen, Jason!

It was an accident. She didn't mean it.

Hockey season's about ready to start up again.

I got them.

Season tickets.

Yeah? Yeah.

Great. I figure we can make about two out of every three games.

You never asked about Mom today.

We never talked about her.

Nothing to talk about. She's gone. She's out of our lives.

Don't you care?

Of course I care.

It's better this way, believe me.

You still love her?

Come here.

I want to tell you something.

Your mother...

Doesn't want you anymore.

I don't believe you. That's the truth.

I wouldn't lie to you, would I?

We tell each other everything, right?

I guess.

That's why I kicked her out.

That's why she doesn't live here anymore.

Because of us?

Look, I didn't want to say anything.

But you were bound to find out sooner or later.

Your mother was planning on leaving us.

No. She never wanted to come back here after she left the hospital. She was

going to abandon you and your sister. You see, that's why I did it.

That's why I asked her to leave, to protect you.

I wish I could make it easier for you.

Your son's outbursts are getting out of hand, Mrs. Tate.

Today he beat up a boy half his size for no apparent reason.

Was the boy badly hurt? A few bruises, considering the beating he took.

We had to send him home.

And Jason, what's going to happen to him?

We're going to give him a 24 -hour suspension to cool him off.

But this isn't the first time it's happened, Mrs. Tate.

We've tried to contact his father repeatedly, but he hasn't responded.

We tried to get a hold of him today, but he still hasn't responded.

I didn't know any of this was going on, Mr. Grayson.

My children don't live with me.

We're aware of the situation, Mrs. Tate.

But that does not excuse Jason's behavior.

Jason has a lot of anger in him.

Dangerous anger.

You see, the last few years have been very hard on him.

And I think now with me being gone, it's... Clearly the boy needs help.

I'm going to make a recommendation that Jason receives counseling.

But you better do it now, Mrs. Tate.

Because if you don't, Jason's rage will cost him more than just a few days away

from school.

Are you hungry?

We have to talk. No. I don't have to talk to you.

You have a problem and we have to talk about it. You can't keep shutting me

I'll do what I want. Not in this house. This is your house.

I don't live here. You don't want me.

Of course I want you. More than anything. Where would you get something

that? Dad said that you didn't want us. That you were just going to leave. That

isn't true. That you're sick of us. That you don't want to be our mother

anymore. You are my wife. No.

I love you. No, no, no!

Honey, no.

No. I love you. I love you.

No! No!

Stop! No! Stop! No!

Stop! Stop! Look at yourself!

Is this what you want? You want a life like your father had with me? Is this

you love?

Is this how you love?

Why did you let him do that to you?

Why did you stop him?

Because I thought I deserved it.

I thought I was no good.

All that time he hit you.

And I couldn't stop him. It wasn't your responsibility. I wanted to. I couldn't.

I know.

Oh, honey, what have we done to you? What have we done?

It's all right.

There was nothing I could do.

I'm not going anywhere ever again.

That was my girl, huh? That was my girl.

Daniel, I've been waiting over an hour.

Well, I had things to do. I left work early because you said you wanted to

right away. Okay, okay.

You're the one who called this meeting. What do you want?

I just thought it was important that we talk.

I have nothing to talk to you about, Marianne. You're wasting my time.

please. Shut up, Marianne.

Jason, here are my keys. You two go wait in the car. I have to talk to your

father -in -law.

Go on.

Well?

Jason needs help.

We've got to get him into some kind of therapy.

He doesn't need therapy.

He's in trouble, Daniel.

Now, the school says they've tried to call you. Well, I'm a busy man. I don't

have time for this.

Look, if you don't want the responsibility, then give them back to

Oh, yeah.

Right.

Stop lying to them.

Boy, you're really something, Mary Ann, you know?

You can't even take care of yourself, and yet you're gonna get the kids back.

Yeah, right.

Don't walk away from me, Daniel.

You're pathetic.

This is about the children.

You guys get your jacket off, and I'll get dinner ready.

Jason, take your jacket off. You'll catch cold. Joseph, stop.

Stop it, sweetheart.

Stop it. Come on. Come on.

You guys want some hot chocolate?

Yes, please.

Take your cap off, Jason.

Jason.

Take off your cap.

Have you been fighting at school again?

It didn't happen at school.

Daddy did it.

What? Daddy and Jason had a fight. Shut up!

Is this true?

Did your father hit you?

We were playing calves and I got in the way of the ball. Don't cover for him,

damn it. Did he hit you?

If he hit you, Jason, I have to know about it.

What happened to your eye?

What happened to your eye?

Jason, you shouldn't talk to him about me.

What happens between your daddy and me is our business. I'm trying to protect

you.

He backed me into a corner.

He started pounding on me.

get away this will never ever happen

again not to you not to me never again i promise you never again

I want to talk to you.

You know you have no right to be here. You're trespassing. If you don't get out

of here now... Don't threaten me, Daniel. It won't work anymore. I don't

damn about your threats.

I'm here about Jason.

All right.

What about Jason?

Why did you hit him?

It was just a little slap.

He has a black eye. He opened a mouth to me.

Don't you ever, ever lay a hand on my son again.

Your son? My son.

You know, I think the court gave me custody for both of... Because you lied!

And the court won't allow me to defend myself against you!

Yeah, well, maybe there's another reason, Mary Ann.

All those years, I believed I was nothing. You are nothing!

No, not anymore.

Tell me about your children, Daniel. Who are they?

You can't, can you?

Because you don't know them.

You don't care about them.

You're just using them to get back at me because I don't need you anymore.

Don't you hit me again! Don't you ever hit me!

Don't you ever!

Oh, your face. What happened? Where have you been?

See Daniel.

Where are the kids?

In my place.

Look, I didn't want them to see me like this, so I took a chance and came here.

You saw Daniel alone? Are you crazy? I had to.

He hit Jason. When?

Last night.

Did you take him to a doctor?

No, no, no. I went straight to see Daniel. Oh, no. You have to take him to

doctor and photograph any bruises.

Every bit of documentation is a piece of evidence for the judge. Now, the next

time something... There isn't going to be a next time, Louise.

I'm never going to take them back there again.

I'm keeping them with me. You can't. Daniel has custody, Mary Ann. By law, he

has rights.

What about my rights?

Don't I have rights?

Where are the laws that protect me and my children? Don't I have the right to

keep them safe? Know what the judge says.

Oh, damn the judge!

to my children we're talking about.

Daniel almost killed me. He could kill them. I won't take that chance.

I want you to call Rachel and ask for an emergency.

Oh, no, no, that's impossible.

Just call her.

Thanks for getting her in here, Louise.

I know this glass looks full, but she loves it so.

Look at her.

Oh, she's so sweet.

I don't want her spirit to die, Louise. I don't want Daniel to take that from

her.

Did you talk to Rachel?

Oh, yeah, I got a packet right here.

There's a lot for us to do.

Every day that goes by that you keep these kids, that's another day against

I just want that judge to look at Jason's face in his eyes and then tell

has to go back to his father.

Lights out, honey. It's very late.

Mom?

Hmm? Are we ever going to see Dad again?

I don't know.

Does he love us?

Oh, Jason.

I think... I think he loves us very much.

Why does he hurt us?

I don't know.

I don't think he even knows. I think he's scared.

I wish it could be normal.

That we could all be together.

That he wouldn't hurt us.

Well, you're safe now.

And no one can hurt you and nothing can harm you.

So you just close your eyes.

Close your eyes.

And I'll stay with you until you go to sleep, okay?

Your Honor, Mrs. Tate has deliberately kept her children from their father. He

doesn't even know where she lives.

Is that true, Mrs. Tate?

I've only registered care of my attorney and advocate.

Mrs. Tate, the court must have a residence address for you on record.

I'm sorry, Your Honor, I can't.

I won't. That is illegal. My client has rights. I am sick and tired of hearing

about Daniel's rights.

The whole system is designed to protect the abuser, not the children.

Mrs. Tate. My son returned home to me with a black eye and a swollen cheek,

injuries his father gave him. I believe Mrs. Tate is exaggerating, Your Honor.

According to my client's testimony, it only happened once.

He slapped the boy for being fresh.

The boy has gotten out of hand. He was simply exercising his right to

the man.

Discipline? He beat him.

Your Honor, my children are afraid of their father.

They don't want to live with him. In fact, right now, they don't even want to

see him.

Children have the right to the benefit of both parents. What if it isn't

for them? What if one of the parents is emotionally unstable?

That is not for Mrs. Tate to decide.

Your Honor, please, if you will just hear my testimony of Daniel's abuse.

Tate, no matter how much I might want to, at this point, I cannot admit

abuse. He beat me for years. It is irrelevant in custody cases. And now

abusing my children. There's no evidence of that here. That isn't true, and you

know it.

It's the law. The hell with the law, Your Honor.

Mrs. Tate, I'm giving you 24 hours to report your residence address to this

court and to return the children to their home.

They are home.

With me.

Mrs. Tate, I'm placing you in contempt.

Please, if you'll only hear me.

24 hours, I'll have a warrant out for your arrest.

I can't take them back to him, Louise. I won't do it. Do you understand what can

happen if you don't? I'll leave the state if I have to.

I'll go so far away, he'll never be able to find us. He can bring kidnapping

charges against you. I don't care.

These are my children, and the law is the law.

But there is another way, isn't there, Louise?

Mary Ann, Rosalie was talking about it at the shelter. She has a friend who's

living underground.

This isn't something to bring up lightly.

I can't advocate it.

Only women in extreme cases... This is extreme, Louise.

If I don't do something, if I don't take it into my own hands, I could lose my

children. Going underground is serious business, Mary Ann.

Now, officially, I can't help you.

I'd be putting the sinner in jeopardy. But as my friend...

Look, you don't know what you're into here, hon.

There are consequences.

Serious ones.

I can handle it.

Really?

Anything is better than this. Can you handle the emotional stress?

Moving your kids, changing their names.

There'd be no records.

Before this is all done, you might have to move again and again and again.

Well, just deal with it. But could you deal with going to jail? Because that

could happen.

What will happen to your kids then?

What would you do if you lost them?

It's a chance I have to take.

It's my only hope, Louise.

Mary Ann, you will have no pa -

out there somewhere.

I can feel it.

Look at all the kids.

I know.

What do you think?

How's that look? It looks great. Do you like it?

Do you like it?

Will we have to leave town?

No, Daddy doesn't know where we live, so we can stay here.

What about Caitlin?

Not.

We'll pick a perfect name for you.

Louise Levy.

Who?

Oh, yes.

I'll hold.

Yes.

Just a minute. Let me check.

Tomorrow is just fine.

Thanks.

Leah, get me all of the records for the custody cases of the last five years.

And call Ella and get hers, too, okay?

Thanks.

Congresswoman Morella and I have gone through these files.

These stories are frightening.

Sometimes we get as many as 50 calls a day from abused women wanting to leave

the home. But they don't. Most of them have nothing on their own.

They're afraid they'll lose their children. Well, that's why the

called for this data.

There's going to be a press conference to gain support.

And we need women who would be willing to talk.

Do you have anyone?

Anyone at all?

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, Mrs. Sarah Williams.

My name is not Sarah Williams.

And I am a fugitive.

And if the judge sees this hearing, I will be placed under arrest.

I might even be charged with kidnapping.

And I'm not alone.

In this country right now, eight women a minute are being physically abused by

their mates.

Most of them have no money or no place to go, so for the sake of the children,

they stay in a violent situation.

I know this because I've spent the last 11 years of my life as a battered woman,

and I'm still being battered, only this time by the courts and by a government.

that does not honor or respect women, but instead strips us of our rights and

our dignity.

I lost custody of my children to the man who beat me for 11 years. I lost

custody because the judge refused to hear my testimony of spousal abuse.

I was threatened with abandonment and desertion and then not allowed to defend

myself.

Or my children.

This is because judges may not and shall not hear evidence of physical spousal

abuse in custody cases.

It is irrelevant.

Irrelevant.

I've heard that word a lot since all this started.

Our courts are insensitive to our pain.

For years I hid, ashamed of my bruises, afraid

of my shame.

And now that I'm free, I'm still hiding. All I want is to be heard.

All I want is to give my children a home, to love them

and take care of them without the threat of violence.

No, please.

Please, I beg you.

Give me back my children.

Some time ago, I placed Mrs. Mary Ann Walker -Tate in contempt of this court.

Since that time, the state of Maryland has become one of many states to adopt

the Morella Resolution, allowing domestic court judges the right to hear

testimony of spousal abuse in custody cases.

It is with that right that I ask her attorney to call Mrs. Mary Ann Walker

to the stand.

I will hear her testimony of abuse.

Your Honor.

I call Mrs. Marianne Walker -Tate to the stand.

Raise your right hand and repeat after me. Aye.

Aye. Marianne Walker -Tate.

Mary Ann Walker Tate, do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth.

So help me God.