Portraits of Inspirational People

"Incredibly moving and inspiring: ... inspiring because these photographs show us how survivors can, and do, take back their own identity and their own stories... Part of the power of these photographs lies in the fact that the images are not of victims as we might have supposed, but, in the words of one of them, "strong, brave feisty survivors, changing the journey from victim to victor." Queen Camilla

Dedicated to the 46 participants and the 7 people who had to withdraw for personal safety.

Not forgetting those in witness protection who shared a story, but could not have a portrait taken.

Commissioned by SafeLives and SICK!

Stories by participants.

(Selection of images).

I Am, portraits, domestic violence, domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, SafeLives, SICK! Festival, the Duchess of Cornwall

Winner Edition 365 2023

Chief Inspector Sharon Baker

We are all transforming. It is part of life.

After trauma we may heal and grow.

I have an M.A. I am a proud black woman, mother, sister, friend.

I look angry here, I am angry.

Having a successful acting career does not protect a woman

With his boots and fists he broke my back.

I want to be around others like me that understand the codes of domestic abuse and racial trauma.

Fact: The police receive a domestic abuse-related call every 30 seconds.

Yet it is estimated that less than 24% of domestic abuse crime is reported to the police.

Fact: 1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime.
Domestic abuse feels incredibly isolating, but the numbers tell a different story: you are not alone.

Fact: On average, one woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex every five days in England and Wales.

Fact: It takes, on average, 7 attempts before a woman is able to leave for good.
Leaving an abusive partner is a process, not a single act.

Fact: Domestic abuse can lead women to suicide.
It is estimated that around 3 women a week die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse.

Fact: 20% of children in the UK have lived with an adult perpetrating domestic abuse.
That’s 1 in 5 kids.

Fact: Domestic abuse gets worse during pregnancy.
About 20% of women in Refuge’s services are pregnant or have recently given birth.

Fact: Young girls in the UK report high incidence of sexual violence.
41% of UK girls aged 14 to 17 in an intimate relationship experienced some form of sexual violence from their partner.

Fact: 93% of defendants in domestic abuse cases are male; 84% of victims are female.
And yet, women are three times more likely to be arrested for incidents of abuse.

Fact: Domestic abuse costs the UK an estimated £23 billion a year.
It is not only weighing on our physical and emotional health, but also our economy.

https://refuge.org.uk/what-is-domestic-abuse/the-facts/ (2024)