When a person leaves a violent or controlling relationship they have often lost their identity. I Am is a visual narrative reclaiming the face or body. They ask us to confront their gaze, to pay attention to their trauma and survival, to note their resilience.

 91% of domestic violence crimes that cause injuries are against women and 93% of perpetrators who abused women, survivors, are male. (figs. Women's Aid/SafeLives 2019). All of the people here have lived experience of intimate partner crime.

Observer
BBC news   
the Telegraph
the Independent
the Standard
Vanity Fair
Participant's Stories
The Story behind the project.

More media at end. Commissioned by SafeLives and SICK! Festival.

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

BJP 365 Winner 2021 

Abuse in the home and church.

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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

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

We are all transforming. It is part of life.

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

 After trauma we may heal and grow.

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

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

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

 I look angry here, I am angry.

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

He waited until he was 80 to speak about his childhood

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

Having a successful acting career does not protect a woman

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

With his boots and fists he broke my back.

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

Photograph this scar here on my neck.

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

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

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

Transgender people experience intimate partner abuse

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

 A long unhappy marriage, her charity just won a national award. 

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

The next morning when I got up for school there was blood all over the living room.

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

His father murdered his mother and sister.

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

 It's my choice now

what colour I paint, what clothes I want to wear

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

Life changing injuries, she became a reiki master to heal others.

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

It is my belief we can all heal from our past.

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

I think often as women we are taught and told not to be angry.

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

Runs a charity for survivors of domestic abuse.

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

It didn’t escalate until I fell pregnant at 18.

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

Holocaust survivor and psychotherapist. 40 year sentence of abuse in marriage. 

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

Physiotherapist. Now living abroad.

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

I am on a journey to loving myself again

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

My wheelchair can make me a target for certain men.

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

We talked about reframing the gaze and how portraiture isn't just about being looked at – it's about looking right back.

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

 My baby kept me going through some very difficult years.

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

She is highly educated.

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

I've kept the battle hidden put on a brave face, put on my mask so no one would know.

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

Motivational speaker for abuse and a survivor.

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

Cancer nurse.

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

A harrowing story about a daughter. 

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

...and those who are in hiding with witness protection who shared a story, but could not have a portrait taken.

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