Samantha Scaffidi's Film 'Wait' Brings Attention to Obstacles Sexual Assault Survivors Face

Production company SMUGGLER along with writer/director Samantha Scaffidi produced the PSA ‘Wait’ in partnership with RAINN and Droga5 to help bring attention and a sense of urgency to the plight and obstacles facing survivors of sexual assault.

Samantha Scaffidi brings a personal account and a quiet yet searingly powerful truth to the film in its fight for care and justice. She says: “it’s exciting and humbling to be involved in such an important and necessary project and I’m thrilled that RAINN has a platform which can galvanise necessary change with their compassion, integrity and dedication," in regards to working with RAINN and Droga5.

‘Wait’ gives viewers an intimate perspective into the experience of sexual assault survivors as they wait to receive a forensic exam (commonly referred to as a rape kit). Due to a shortage of nurses trained to collect forensic evidence, survivors may have to travel long distances to find a hospital that provides this service; some are forced to wait hours for an exam. This powerful PSA shows the impact that this nurse shortage has on survivors of sexual violence and why it's so important for Congress to pass the Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act (SASCA) which will improve access to critical care for survivors.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organisation. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org and rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

 

Samantha Scaffidi is a NY-based writer/director who is deft in both the production and creative sides of the craft with a background as an actress and producer. Her driving passion is creating hard-hitting, raw, narrative content, which she has pursued in the form of short films, music videos, and PSAs. Samantha's greatest strength as a director lies in her innate ability to tell a story in a straightforward, powerful, yet effortless fashion.