WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - A documentary with a Cape Fear connection is up for an Oscar on Sunday night.
The Invisible War highlights the issue of rape in the armed forces and how it's covered up. The Department of Defense says about 19,000 people are raped or sexually assaulted in the military each year.
One first-hand account comes from Elle Helmer Woods of Wilmington. In the film, she explains how she was assaulted and no one would do anything about it.
"It truly was a being invisible," says Woods of the 2006 assault. "Nobody seemed to know or care, or know what to do, being in that situation six years ago was horrible."
Woods says she is grateful for how much exposure the documentary has brought to the issue, and is hoping the Oscar buzz will do more to stop sexual assaults from happening in the future.
"I just thought I was alone in all of this and like they said maybe it was my fault," said Woods. "So I never expected people would look at it with the esteem they do and take note of how great this issue is and how there is a need for change."
The lawsuit she filed was dismissed two weeks ago, however, Woods says she will appeal it. She is currently working with lawmakers to try to pass the Stop Act, which would eliminate the chain of command when reporting an assault in the military.
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Area woman tells story of military assault in Oscar nominated film
Interviewing with WECT
Screen shot from film Invisible War
