Local Story of Surviving Abuse Premieres Nationally on PBS

FILLMORE COUNTY — A powerful story with roots in Southeast Minnesota is about to reach a national audience.

Local author and advocate Lizzie Hershberger will soon see her story brought to the screen in the documentary Keep Quiet and Forgive, which is scheduled to premiere nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens on March 23 at 8:00 p.m. The film is the eighth episode of Season 27 of the long-running documentary series, which showcases compelling independent films and personal stories from across the country.

The documentary “Keep Quiet and Forgive,” directed by Sarah McClure, will premiere March 23 on PBS’s Independent Lens. (Graphic courtesy of ITVS)

The documentary draws in part from Hershberger’s memoir Behind Blue Curtains, which recounts her experience surviving abuse within a local Amish community and the long road toward healing. 

Since the book’s release, Hershberger has gained national recognition, appearing on several popular podcasts and sharing her story with audiences far beyond Southeast Minnesota.

While the film will soon be seen by viewers across the country, its origins are deeply tied to this region. Portions of the documentary were filmed in the Lanesboro and Whalan area, capturing the quiet beauty of the bluff country landscape that will be familiar to many residents of Fillmore County.

For Hershberger, whose journey from survivor to advocate has spanned decades, the documentary represents another step in sharing a story she hopes will foster healing, courage and meaningful conversation.

A story that began in silence

Hershberger’s memoir tells the deeply personal story of surviving abuse within an Amish community and the complicated path that followed.

Like many survivors, Hershberger carried the weight of her experience for years before speaking publicly about what had happened. The decision to come forward was not immediate. Nearly three decades passed before she reported the abuse she endured as a teenager.

Ultimately, that decision led to the conviction of the man responsible.

For Hershberger, coming forward was about more than personal closure. It was about justice and about ensuring that other victims would not feel alone.

Lizzie Hershberger as a young teen in her Amish community. (Photo provided by Lizzie Hershberger)

The experience also revealed the unique challenges that can exist within insular communities, where cultural expectations, close family ties and strong traditions can make speaking openly about abuse extremely difficult.

Through her memoir and her advocacy, Hershberger has sought to bring those realities into the open while encouraging compassion and support for survivors.

From memoir to documentary

The documentary builds on the foundation of Hershberger’s memoir while exploring the themes of silence, faith, accountability and resilience. While her story serves as a central thread, the documentary also introduces other individuals who have chosen to share their experiences.

By weaving together multiple voices, the film offers a broader look at the emotional, social and cultural challenges survivors often face when speaking out.

The title itself reflects a phrase that many victims have heard in one form or another — the suggestion that difficult truths should remain hidden to preserve peace or protect a community’s reputation.

That expectation is challenged through the stories presented in the documentary.

Instead, the film highlights the courage required to break silence and the long process of healing that often follows.

A landscape that feels like home

For viewers in Southeast Minnesota, one of the most striking elements of the documentary may be its setting. Sweeping drone footage captures the distinctive beauty of the region’s bluff country, a backdrop familiar to many local residents.

These peaceful landscapes stand in contrast to the difficult subject matter, emphasizing the reality that even in the most serene settings, painful stories can exist beneath the surface.

Several individuals connected to the region also appear in the documentary, including a young man named Menno who shares a deeply personal story of transformation and hope.

By grounding these stories in a recognizable landscape, the film highlights how issues of silence, accountability and healing are not distant problems – they exist within real communities and real lives.

An Amish buggy rolls through Bluff Country. (Photo by Lizzie Hershberger)

Advocacy and a voice for survivors

In the years since sharing her story publicly, Hershberger has become known as an author, speaker and survivor-advocate.

Her work focuses on resilience, justice and amplifying voices that have too often been silenced.

She frequently speaks about the emotional barriers survivors face when deciding whether to come forward. Fear of losing family connections, social standing or community support can make the decision feel overwhelming.

Yet Hershberger believes that speaking openly is an essential step toward change.

“I want to say to the Amish community that if you are not willing to protect your children, then we will,” Hershberger has said. 

“To the Amish children, I want to say that you are not alone. I am here with you, along with all the survivors. To us, you are worth the risk of coming forward. To us, you are worth all the justice in the world.”

Those words reflect the message she continues to share through her writing and public appearances: survivors deserve to be heard, believed and supported.

Family, faith and purpose

Despite the difficult topics she addresses, Hershberger’s story is not defined solely by hardship.

She is a devoted wife of nearly three decades and a mother of four. Family remains at the center of her life and her work.

Hershberger also honors the memory of her late son, Dustin, whose life continues to inspire her commitment to helping others find hope and perseverance during difficult times.

Alongside her writing and speaking engagements, she supports youth programs, education initiatives and community events aimed at strengthening families and empowering individuals to find their voices.

Her dedication to service reflects a belief that meaningful change often begins with individual courage – the willingness to speak honestly about painful experiences in order to create safer environments for others.

In addition to her memoir and advocacy work, Hershberger continues to pursue new writing projects.

She is nearing completion of a children’s book, demonstrating her continued commitment to storytelling and to sharing messages of hope with younger audiences.

For Hershberger, writing remains both a creative outlet and a way to connect with others navigating their own journeys toward healing.

A conversation that continues

Stories like Hershberger’s can be difficult to hear, particularly in close-knit rural communities where relationships and traditions run deep.

Yet many advocates believe these conversations are essential.

By bringing these stories into the open – through books, documentaries and public dialogue – communities have an opportunity to reflect on how they support survivors and protect vulnerable individuals.

For Hershberger, the goal has never been to create division. Instead, she hopes her story encourages honesty, accountability and compassion.

Ultimately, the documentary invites viewers to consider how silence can shape communities and how courage can change them. Click below to watch the trailer from PBS’s Independent Lens.