There is perhaps no subject as taboo or difficult to talk about as intimate partner violence. Ruled by fear or shame, victims will go to great lengths to keep abuse a secret, even from a therapist or trusted friends and family members. Often, the public never knows someone is suffering — or only finds out when it’s too late to help.

The first step to breaking that cycle of secrecy, and to giving victims the courage to speak up, is to talk about the problem openly, and publicly. As part of that effort, The Retreat and the Sag Harbor Cinema have joined forces to host a panel discussion on Sunday afternoon called “Behind Closed Doors: A Frank Discussion About Abuse In Our Community.”

The discussion comes at a timely moment. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the recent death of Long Islander Gabby Petito has also shined a larger spotlight on the issue of intimate partner violence in recent weeks