Amish Sexual Abuse Survivor Shares Story in PBS Documentary

Lizzie Hershberger, who grew up in the Amish community in southeast Minnesota, has spoken publicly about the sexual abuse she endured as a young teenager. Her story was first told in a book “Behind Blue Curtains,” which she authored, and is now the focus of a PBS Independent Lens documentary, “Keep Quiet and Forgive.” 

Her story will move you, and she hopes that it will provide strength for others who have been or are currently being sexually abused to come forward instead of keeping quiet and forgiving their abusers.

Hershberger has been described as strong and resilient, and in recent years, she has become an advocate for others who have experienced similar trauma. 

Rather than revealing the full details of her story, Fillmore County Journal readers are encouraged to watch the 90-minute documentary, which will be shown locally at the Spring Grove Cinema, March 20-22, and broadcast nationally on PBS Monday, March 23.

The documentary was years in the making. What was initially expected to be a one- or two- year project stretched into a six-year journey. Filming began in September 2019 and concluded in March 2025, with the documentary now set for release one year later.

Hershberger explained that Sarah McClure with Infinite Stories Productions originally pitched a project on sexual abuse in Amish communities to Cosmopolitan magazine, which immediately picked it up. 

The film was created by an independent filmmaker who did much of the work herself, and as they got funding, they would bring in editors and others to help. Hershberger emphasized that the film was never scripted. 

“They never told me what to say,” she said. “I tried to be natural and just be myself. I never acted.”

Filming included sensitive moments, such as court appearances, which required special permission. Not all individuals agreed to be filmed.

Retakes were rare, Hershberger said, recalling only two instances, one due to poor lighting in her home when she was sitting on the couch looking through her diary.

The filming process also included lighter moments. Hershberger recalled managing wardrobe changes throughout the years of production, with support from The Boutique Station, which provided her with many outfits, and her publicist, Spring Grove resident Judy F. Berg, who selected the hat she is wearing in the film.

She also learned that final decisions about what appears in the film are ultimately made by the director. While some scenes she hoped would be included did not make the final cut, others she was hesitant about, such as footage related to her abuser, were included.

Production days could be long, sometimes beginning early in the morning and lasting into the evening. She told about one day that started at 6:30 in the morning and lasted until 10 p.m.

Looking back, Hershberger said she wishes she had sought more support during the process.

“It would have been nice to have more support along the way,” she said. “I also wish I had taken more counseling, because I was doing so much advocacy work while repeating my story multiple times.”

Her sister joined her on location during filming. 

Despite the challenges, she is pleased with the result and noted that filmmakers did take her input into consideration.

One aspect she especially enjoyed was helping with the film’s translation work.

Hershberger is careful to emphasize that her experience does not define the Amish community as a whole.

“I am not trying to say that all the Amish have abuse problems,” she said. “There are wonderful people. They’re a wonderful, wonderful group of people. I’m glad I grew up Amish.”

She added that she still appreciates many aspects of Amish life, including traditional practices like canning, hanging clothes on a line, and her flowers.

“Keep Quiet and Forgive,” directed and produced by Sarah McClure with Infinite Stories Productions in association with PBS Independent Lens, will premiere nationally on Monday, March 23, at 8 p.m. Central.

“Keep Quiet and Forgive” can be seen Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 21, at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, March 22, at 1 p.m. at the Spring Grove Cinema. There will be a Q&A after each screening, featuring cast members from the film. Books, brochures, and resource information will be available before and after each screening.

Hershberger continues her advocacy work and is currently writing a children’s book.