Composite drawing is often an overlooked phase of a criminal investigation. For the witness or victim who must describe what they saw, the experience can be harrowing and painful. FREEHAND follows a forensic sketch artist as she works with the survivor of a sexual assault, a young woman in college. By the time their interview is complete, however, the girl is not the only one who recognizes the drawing of the suspect. FREEHAND deals directly with the erasure of women’s stories of assault, forcing us to reckon with who we choose to protect in the aftermath of these crimes.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, help is available 24/7 through RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-HOPE (4673) and online.rainn.org.