A Cry For Help: The Tracey Thurman Story--A Brutal True Crime Story About Spousal Abuse, Attempted Murder and Misogynist Cops!

For Valentines Day, we're covering the 1989 TV movie "A Cry For Help: The Tracey Thurman Story," based on a true story, starring Nancy McKeon and Dale Midkiff. You'll be relieved you're single! Tracey Thurman tried to escape her abusive husband Buck, but he followed and relentlessly stalked her. No matter how many time she reported him to the police, they refused to help her. Then one day, Buck stabbed Tracey 13 times in broad daylight, in front of a cop! When she recovered, Tracey sued the police department and helped put a new law in place protecting victims of abuse. Your hosts filmmaker Katie Madonna Lee and writer Louis Jordan, with special guest Autumn Welker, discuss the effect Tracey Thurman's case on changing laws and raising awareness about spousal abuse. We also discuss Lisa Bianco, whose tragic death at the hands of her husband helped spark change, and talk about why portrayals of abuse in TV movies get it right more often than theatrical movies.