This Is Where I Learned Not To Sleep

A documentary by Emmy-winning filmmakers Anne de Mare & Kirsten Kelly. Produced by Anne de Mare, Kirsten Kelly & Andrew W. Schwertfeger. Executive Producers Cindy Waitt & Gavin de Becker.

Runtime: 38-minutes

Part quest for justice – part journey towards healing. Decorated Nashville cop Mark Wynn wrestles with his own violent childhood while working to reform decades of domestic violence mishandling, cover-ups, and abuse from deep within law enforcement.

“I lived with a monster. I know how this works.” Lt. Mark Wynn challenges fellow police officers to end generations of disregard and systemic failures around domestic violence. While training officers in rural Texas, Mark revisits his childhood home and wrestles with his family’s traumatic past. How was he able to break the cycle of violence that traps so many men? 

With access to sensitive police trainings, the film explores the complex relationship between police and family violence.  By revealing his own haunting childhood, Mark inspires communities - and especially men -- to stand up and reform the system to better help women and children.  “Men create 98% of these crimes – it’s up to us to stop the violence.”

Bringing together the Producers, Filmmakers and Impact Producers from the award-winning documentaries The Homestretch, Audrey & Daisy, Private Violence and Bully, this project brings a unique depth to the dialogue around childhood survivors, police reform and challenges perceptions of violence against women and children. The film’s story encourages more men to get involved and asks communities to build better safety nets for women and children.  

The film and impact team are launching a national engagement campaign, working with partner organizations, advocates and law enforcement leaders. Accompanying discussion guides and training curriculums are being developed in partnership with experts from the areas of Domestic Violence, Child Advocacy, Batterer’s Intervention/Abuser Education, Law Enforcement/Criminology and Engaging Men in Anti-Violence work.