From the Nominator

"Doom-scrolling the New York Times in summer 2021, I saw a headline about the increase in domestic violence during the pandemic that occurred because, in part, the traditional supports for victims weren’t available. Around the same time, an alum who survived a brutal domestic assault contacted us about a book she’d written on the subject. 

With the university’s mission centering around impacting the public good, I decided to write about the topic, speaking with faculty, staff and alumni who either worked in fields related to intimate partner violence (IPV) or researched it. Combining those experts with deep reporting on statistics and trends, I wrote a feature on the “shadow pandemic,” examining who the victims were, what tools abusers used, why incidents are underreported and why leaving can be so hard to do. My interview subjects were chosen specifically to highlight those areas and position the university community as thought leaders. 

I worked closely with members of our counseling center staff and our designer to develop illustrations that were effective without triggering trauma. I collaborated with our designer and editor to make sure the layout avoided those pitfalls too, adding a trigger warning at the top of the page in print and online and keeping large illustrations off the first printed page of the story. There were extensive resources included at the end for those experiencing domestic violence and individuals who suspected friends/family were suffering."

From the Judges

Powerful and captivating writing on a subject that was largely overlooked and exacerbated through the pandemic. Extensive resources shared for those that may be struggling through a similar situation.