2014 Photo Contest, Contemporary Issues, 1st prize

A Portrait of Domestic Violence

Photographer

Sara Naomi Lewkowicz

for Time

02 September, 2012

Maggie sits with her children Memphis and Kayden. From the beginning of their relationship, her new partner Shane engaged with the children, asking Kayden to call him ‘Dad’.

Domestic violence is frequently seen as a private crime, hidden from view, often excused or obscured from outsiders even by its victims. Maggie (19) lives in central Ohio, with her children Kayden (4) and Memphis (2). Her partner of some months, Shane (31), has had struggles with addiction, and has spent much of his life in prison. One night a violent argument broke out between them after they had returned home from a bar. Shane told Maggie she could choose between being beaten in the kitchen, where a friend was sitting, or going to the basement where they could talk privately. Maggie refused to be alone with him, and his rage grew more intense. Shane was arrested after a resident in the house called the police. He later pleaded guilty to a domestic violence felony and was given a nine-month sentence.

About the photographer

Sara Naomi Lewkowicz

She received her master's degree in visual communication from Ohio University in Athens and received her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at ...

Technical information

Focal length
35.0 mm
F-Stop
3.2
ISO
6400
Camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

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