Season Four, Episode 04

"I want people to be held accountable because I'm held accountable...for everything I say. And I know that everything I say as a felon - as a woman in this society - has to be corroborated 50 times before I'm believed. And I'm tired of living in a world like that." - Kim Dadou Brown. Photo by Casey Steffens.
From the Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester NY, 1992.
Kims' dogs prior to her sentencing, which she would never see again. Photo by Casey Steffens.
After sentencing, Kim spent 3 years in Bedford Correctional Facility prior to being transferred to Albion. Photo by Casey Steffens.
"The time period between trial and prison is dealing with the loss of your life. It's like you've died, but you're still alive." - Kim Dadou Brown. Photo by Casey Steffens.
"Belle came to visit me from 2000 to 2008 - every other Saturday. And then I came home November 20th, 2008. We got married in 2015." Images courtesy of Kim Dadou Brown
One of the many letters Belle would write to Kim while she was still in prison. Photo by Casey Steffens.
Kim has a total of 17 earrings in both ears to remind her of each year she spent incarcerated. Photo by Casey Steffens.
Kims' earring collection. Photo by Casey Steffens.
"It changed everything for us. And it was my ultimate dream come true moment, even though I have dream come true moments every day. This is a dream come true moment, a person like me, this is shit I dreamt about in prison." - Kim on her marriage to Belle. Photo by Casey Steffens.
"People say that marriage doesn't change anything. It changes everything because now I don't feel like I can just walk away from this." - Kim Dadou Brown. Photo by Casey Steffens.
A Survivor Advocate, Kim often travels around the country to speak about her experiences. Photo by Casey Steffens.
Following prison, Dadou Brown played a key role in helping to pass the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act in New York. Photo by Casey Steffens.

Season Four, Episode 04

A White Noise In Your Head – Part II

A White Noise In Your Head – Part II

A story of abuse, self defense, and the narratives we choose to believe.

By the time her boyfriend became violent, Kim Dadou Brown was confident she could handle it. It was just one of those things the women in her family dealt with. It wasn’t until Kim found herself in prison that she realized how seriously the years of abuse had skewed her reality – and what little support the system offered women like her.

Kims’ story continues in part 02, where she shares what transpired in the wake of her boyfriends’ death and how she came out on the other side into a career as an activist for domestic violence victims.

Produced by Mike Martinez, Tyler Wray, and Grace Heerman. Music by Mike Etten. Sound design by Armen Bazarian.

Photos by Casey Steffens

*This episode contains strong descriptions of domestic violence, please listen with care.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233.

 

Transcript
Transcript
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