LIVING WITH THE ENEMY ARCHIVE CIRCA 1982-2024 by Donna Ferrato

Who Runs the World? We do! , S...city as her abuser, on her own.

Who Runs the World? We do! ,St Paul, MN ©Donna Ferrato 1987
Published in Living with the Enemy Aperture (1991) and Holy powerHouse Books (2020).
Women's Advocates Shelter, Mary and three daughters were protected and cared for until Mary was ready to make it in the same city as her abuser, on her own.

No Room In the Shelter&nbs...ing story on domestic violence.

No Room In the Shelter Philadelphia, Pa ©Donna Ferrato 1986
To survive mothers and children flee unchecked violent men from their homes. Destablized they hunt for sanctuaries in secret locations. Yes. in the middle of the night.
This photograph works hard to raise awareness and funds for shelters. First published in the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine, ground-breaking story on domestic violence.

Living With The Enemy Maquette...gned by Philip Jones Griffiths.

Living With The Enemy Maquette NYC © Donna Ferrato 1987
The dummy is an analog masterpiece — handmade by anti-war Magnum photographer Philip Jones Griffiths. Hand-written notes, color-coded, photographs xeroxed on white paper. The Living with the Enemy archive has two handmade dummies designed by Philip Jones Griffiths.

Elisabeth & Bengt at&a...ory on New York city nightlife.

Elisabeth & Bengt at Plato's Retreat NY, NY ©Donna Ferrato 1980
In 1981 I was assigned by Japanese Playboy to photograph couples who epitomized the glamorous lifestyles of that era. Elisabeth and Bengt were a stylish Swedish couple I met at the club while doing a story on New York city nightlife.

Elisabeth & Bengt NY&#...mansion I was not meant to see.

Elisabeth & Bengt NY's Eve Party Saddle River, NJ ©Donna Ferrato 1982
They were wealthy with five beautiful children, and everything money could buy. I did not set out to photograph domestic violence. While on assignment doing a story about a family that epitomized the American success story, I saw something in their mansion I was not meant to see.

Elisabeth and Charlie Supermar...h the children and being alone.

Elisabeth and Charlie Supermarket Checkout Saddle River, N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 1981
Elisabeth was the embodiment of a "trad wife". She designed the interior of the house in traditional Swedish style. She maintained a flawless body after giving birth five times through exercise. She cooked. She cleaned. She sewed their clothes and holiday costumes. But the "sex party" lifestyle took a toll on her emotional core, it robbed her time with the children and being alone.

The Swimming Pool  Sa...ye stayed fixated on Elisabeth.

The Swimming Pool Saddle River N.J. © Donna Ferrato 1982
All quiet before the storm. Exhausted Elisabeth took a nap in the sun. Bengt's eye stayed fixated on Elisabeth.

Bengt grabbed Elisabeth. Charl...enses, make him let go of her.

Bengt grabbed Elisabeth. Charlie cried. Saddle River N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 1982
I was so shocked. Fanny, my baby was sleeping in a basket on the picnic table. Charlie their youngest, cried in protest. I took a picture hoping it would bring him to his senses, make him let go of her.

Fall From Grace in the Garden ...m their perch in the back yard.

Fall From Grace in the Garden of Eden Saddle River N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 1982
After the attack, Elisabeth ran to safety. I took this one photograph and saw children watching from their perch in the back yard.

Contact Sheet  Saddle...ivate. This time was different.

Contact Sheet Saddle River, N.J. © Donna Ferrato 1982
"I also was thinking if I get a picture of this, at least people will believe that it really happened." Donna Ferrato Time Magazine 100 Most Influential Photographs
Enraged by a perceived act of disobedience, Bengt beat his wife while she cowered in a corner. Such acts of intimate partner violence are not uncommon, but they usually happen in private. This time was different.

Critical Time Frames on Contac.... Do not ever disobey me."

Critical Time Frames on Contact Sheet Saddle River, N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 1982
Time lapse between 2 frames.
0 - 0A: 12:00 PM Charlie cried when he saw his dad grab his mother. He ran inside. I didn't understand why.
and I followed him. In the bathroom he ran water over his hand. Tock. A photograph. Then I put down the camera and comforted him. And I didn't use the camera again that day, not until...
0A - 01: 1:30 AM Elisabeth began to scream and it woke me up.
I hid Fanny in the closet, grabbed the camera, and went running to the "master" bedroom. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was ready to hit her in front of me. I knew no one would believe what I saw without proof. Before he hit her again I grabbed his arm and said you are going to hurt her. He shook me offl saying he knew his own strength. He kept looking for his coke. I had one roll of film. And so, I believed each frame was more valuable than gold. After he found the coke she tried to hide, he said to Elisabeth, "I was teaching you a lesson. Do not ever disobey me."

The Apology Saddle River, N.J.... minds of the women they hurt.

The Apology Saddle River, N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 1982
Bengt's letter to Elisabeth when she returned home from the detox center (Bengt committed her) is an example of the game abusers work on the hearts and minds of the women they hurt.

Elisabeth Holmgren Police Phot...e Dept N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 2015

Elisabeth Holmgren Police Photographs Saddle River Police Dept N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 2015

Elisabeth pressed charges. &am...or Assault and Resisting Arrest

Elisabeth pressed charges. Saddle River Police Dept N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 2015
Bengt's Arrest For Assault and Resisting Arrest

Elisabeth's Father With H...r get ready to leave the house.

Elisabeth's Father With His Own Camera Saddle River, N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 1982
Elisabeth's father was very worried about his beloved daughter. He came from Sweden to help her get ready to leave the house.

Jeanette, Fanny, Elisabeth Rams...'s massage therapy studio.

Jeanette, Fanny, Elisabeth Ramsey, NJ ©Donna Ferrato 1994

Elisabeth and our beloved daughters pose outside of Elisabeth's massage therapy studio.

Meeting Hillary Clinton&nb... House, WA, DC ©Limor Inbar1994

Meeting Hillary Clinton Blair House, WA, DC ©Limor Inbar1994

First Lady of the U.S. Hillary...a client and never got it back.

First Lady of the U.S. Hillary Clinton and Elisabeth Lindberg Blair House, WA, D.C. ©Limor Inbar 1993
After First Lady Clinton listened to Elisabeth she signed her Living with the Enemy book. Years later Elisabeth generously loaned it to a client and never got it back.

Paul Moakley and Elisabeth Lin...0 most influential photographs.

Paul Moakley and Elisabeth Lindberg NY, NY ©Donna Ferrato 2015
In the Time Magazine layout room, D. O P. Paul Moakley showed Elisabeth how photography editors at TIME decided the 100 most influential photographs.

Paul Moakley, Elisabeth Lindbe... back her dignity and autonomy.

Paul Moakley, Elisabeth Lindberg, Donna Ferrato NY,NY ©Donna Ferrato 2015
On stage Elisabeth spoke powerfully about being the subject of the photograph.. She explained how she broke away and took back her dignity and autonomy.

Self Portrait Me and Elisabeth...Tribeca, NY ©Donna Ferrato 2015

Self Portrait Me and Elisabeth (flashback to 1982) Tribeca, NY ©Donna Ferrato 2015

Elisabeth Lindberg On Top of T...cessful with or without a man.

Elisabeth Lindberg On Top of The Mountain N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 2015
Elisabeth is an extraordinary woman. Independent and self reliant. she owns her own home, follows a spiritual path, is connected to nature, gets away on vacations with her family. She lives by her own rules and enjoys every minute. She found out she would be successful with or without a man.

Women's Advocates&nbs...ors and their children daily. -

Women's Advocates St Paul MI ©Donna Ferrato 1986
Women's Advocates is a non Governmental agency. It provides shelter & services for 50 victim/survivors and their children daily. -

Rita's Reckoning. &nb...s their mother with black eyes.

Rita's Reckoning. Philadelphia, PA. © Donna Ferrato 1985
Rita was an R.N. She often worked the night shift to supplement her husbands salary. He was not appreciative of her efforts. Instead he was jealous. He devalued her work. After the attack, she said her mother begged her to give him another chance. That her sons needed their father and it was important to keep the family together. No Rita told me. She wasn't going back to him. She saw how it affected her sons. Even though they were witnesses to the beating, they didn't recognize her as their mother with black eyes.

The War ...lished about domestic violence.

The War Behind Drawn Curtains Philadelphia, PA © Donna Ferrato 1985
Two-part series published in the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine. It was the first story ever published about domestic violence.

Rita TIME Magazine ©Donna Ferr...ine photographer, Gordon Parks.

Rita TIME Magazine ©Donna Ferrato 1994
This magazine was a gift from LIFE Magazine photographer, Gordon Parks.

Living With The Enemy , publis...Health Foundation Grant (2007).

Living With The Enemy, published by Aperture ©Donna Ferrato 1991.
Living with the Enemy is Ferrato's best selling book. It sold 40,000 copies and is considered to be a clear visual journey into the dark heart of domestic abuse. Opinion makers say her photographs have changed laws and consistently challenged ignorant attitudes about violence against women and children. Some of Donna's awards include W. Eugene Smith Grant (1986) the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Humanistic Photography, The Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism, the WebMd Health Foundation Grant (2007).

Ferrato vs The Whitney Museum ... panel for future art projects.

Ferrato vs The Whitney Museum NYC, NY © Donna Ferrato 1994
The landmark lawsuit was brought against The Whitney Museum and artist, Eva Rivera Castro for appropriating my work to participate in a group show called The Subject is Rape. The artist created a "mixed media" collage (no name) under the supervision of the Whitney Museum Independent Studies Program of New York City. It incorporated sixteen images, eight were my photographs which she ripped off from Living with the Enemy. Eva Castro neither sought nor obtained permission to use my photographs. The lawsuit settled in my favor. I got a public apology from the Whitney and a promise to create an ethics panel for future art projects.

People Magazine's Exclusi...o O.J. Simpson's attorney.

People Magazine's Exclusive Hedda Nussbaum Story ©Donna Ferrato 1987
Hedda Nussbaum was tortured by her sadistic partner, NYC attorney Joel Steinberg. Steinberg was found guilty second degree for the beating to death murder of the couple's adopted 6-year-old daughter, Lisa.
I was given exclusive access to photograph Hedda by her attorney Barry Scheck. Scheck was also O.J. Simpson's attorney.

Nussbaum V. Steinberg &nbs...years after the abuse occurred.

Nussbaum V. Steinberg NYC Supreme Court ©Donna Ferrato 1997
Life-size map of the injuries Hedda Nussbaum sustained at the hands of her partner, Joel Steinberg. The panel was used as evidence against him for her precedent-setting prosecution brought many years after the abuse occurred.

Hedda, Domestic Violence Survi... the care of Dr. Sam Klagsbrun.

Hedda, Domestic Violence Survivor Four Winds Hospital, N.J. ©Donna Ferrato 1988
Hedda lived in the hospital for a year during intensive psychotherapy under the care of Dr. Sam Klagsbrun.

Hedda Nussbaum with her parent...tand the abuse would get worse.

Hedda Nussbaum with her parents. Four Winds Hospital, NJ ©Donna Ferrato 1987
Hedda did not grow up in an abusive home. Her parents were sweet and gentle. Hedda was unprepared for a man like Joel Steinberg. She didn't understand the pathology of a narcissistic, controlling person. He was so nice and charming when they first met. She didn't understand the abuse would get worse.

Hedda Nussbaum, attorney Betty... long after they had recovered.

Hedda Nussbaum, attorney Betty Levinson, activist Gloria Steinem
NY NY ©Donna Ferrato 1997
Hedda won the right to sue Joel Steinberg for domestic abuse many years after the relationship ended.She established a precedent that gave the right to thousands of women to sue their abusers no matter how long after they had recovered.

Hedda Nussbaum's Celebrat...cess of rebuilding their lives.

Hedda Nussbaum's Celebration Invitation NY, NY ©Donna Ferrato 1994
Hedda won her civil damage action suit against Joel Steinberg for the physical and psychological injuries he inflicted upon her from 1978 to 1987. It benefited millions of battered women in the process of rebuilding their lives.

Hedda: Portrait of T...body, and most of all, ,psyche.

Hedda: Portrait of Torture Under the Skin N.J. © Donna Ferrato 1987
A water-soaked frame of Tri-X represents the acute damage done to Hedda's face, body, and most of all, ,psyche.

Friends of Hedda Tribeca, NYC © Fanny Ferrato 2002

Meredith and Rebel Strong Toge...lifornia to make a fresh start.

Meredith and Rebel Strong Together Santa Cruz, CA ©Donna Ferrato 1999
After Meredith’s husband broke her arm, she hit the road with her dog Rebel. The inseparable duo walked from Oregon to California to make a fresh start.

The System's Fucked Poste... given to the abusive fathers.

The System's Fucked Poster © Donna Ferrato 1997
Limited Edition of lithographs designed by the Enger Brothers.
The most enduring harm being done to this day is created by the Old Boys Network that pervades and runs the courts. Women are locked up for years simply for defending their lives. In custody cases, children are often used as pawns and given to the abusive fathers.

911  Hotline Operator... Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

911 Hotline Operator Pittsburgh, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1983
24 hour a day helpline for desperate women trying to escape from their own homes.
Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani Pledges to... In God's Love We Deliver.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani Pledges to End Domestic Violence NYC ©Donna Ferrato 1994
DAAP, INC was created to raise money for shelters and public awareness about domestic violence through photographs.
We created the first Mayor's Office campaign using real people in real pictures. Panel of speakers included DV survivor, Erminia Apolinario and Ganga Stone, Director and Founder of In God's Love We Deliver.

Police Arrest Abuser ...htub, knocking her unconscious.

Police Arrest Abuser Minneapolis, MI ©Donna Ferrato 1987
"He fights all the time, but it was never this bad before."Karen sobbed as her boyfriend was arrested. Her children had been awakened when the boyfriend threw Karen against the bathtub, knocking her unconscious.

Stop Domestic Violence Campaig... Mayor NYC, Rudolph W Giuliani.

Stop Domestic Violence Campaign NY, NY ©Donna Ferrato 1994
Real people. Real stories. The domestic violence subway/bus poster campaign created by Domestic Abuse Aware, Inc. for the Office of the Mayor NYC, Rudolph W Giuliani.

911  Police Departmen...p before her partner kills her.

911 Police Department Minneapolis, MN ©Donna Ferrato 1987
In the US, every 9 seconds a woman calls for help before her partner kills her.

Poster Supporting a Woman'... themselves and their children.

Poster Supporting a Woman's right to Self-Defense. ©Donna Ferrato1996
Created by Domestic Abuse Awareness Project, Inc. Sometimes I lived in prisons with women who kill.
Prison is a kind of women's shelter, except that the women don't make the rules, and they can't leave.For the majority of long-timers in Women's prisons, killing their abusive partner was their first criminal act. When women kill, it is invariably a last resort to protect themselves and their children.

"I love you, baby" B...ck to him he will kill himself.

"I love you, baby" Boulder, Co © Donna Ferrato 1986
A shelter resident's first call home is often to her abuser who begs her to come back home to him and breaks down her resistance by repeatedly telling her how much he loves her, and sometimes saying if she doesn't come back to him he will kill himself.

Amend Group  &nbs...e man he feared as a young boy.

Amend Group Batterers Intervention Denver, CO © Donna Ferrato 1985
Bill cried as he admitted to the group that while beating his wife his infant son was watching (he was in his mom's arms) and that it reminded him of his father. Bill cried because he saw there was little difference between the man he had become and the man he feared as a young boy.

Stephen Shames & Donna...it was curated by Damon Brandt.

Stephen Shames & Donna Ferrato at Photo Exhibit NY, NY 1994
Photographer Stephen Shames donated a photograph to support the Domestic Abuse Awareness Project. Over 100 of the best internationally known & respected photographers generously contributed showing much appreciated solidarity. The sold-out fundraiser was called Photographers Unite for Love Against Domestic Violence. The exhibit was curated by Damon Brandt.

Home Arrest Contact Sheet&...s time it was too much for him.

Home Arrest Contact Sheet Minneapolis, MN ©Donna Ferrato 1988
9:00 AM Four police cars arrive at the house of a "domestic dispute".
The brave 8-year-old boy, Diamond, made the 911 call because his parents were fighting and this time it was too much for him.

Diamond called 911  M...ked change in social attitudes.

Diamond called 911 Minneapolis, MN ©Donna Ferrato 1988
As the police arrested his father, Diamond said "I hate you for hitting my mother! Don't you come back to this house!" First published in LIFE Magazine, it was recognized as one of the fifty photographs that sparked change in social attitudes.

Subway and Bus Campaign to Sto...n for NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Subway and Bus Campaign to Stop Domestic Violence NYC ©Donna Ferrato 1994
Domestic Abuse Awareness Project.INC created the campaign for NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Diamond Minneapolis, MN © Donna Ferrato 2007
Twenty years later, I went looking for Diamond. He was living in Minneapolis, had a boyfriend and owned a hair salon. Diamond's passion has always been to help women like he helped his mom, to feel good.

Ellen Pence, GodMother of the ...eapolis, MI ©Donna Ferrato 2007

Ellen Pence, GodMother of the Movement Minneapolis, MI ©Donna Ferrato 2007

Sarah Augusta Jones  ...on was curated by Joseph Mella.

Sarah Augusta Jones Vanderbilt University Gallery Nashville, TN © Donna Ferrato 2014
The exhibition was the first I am Unbeatable retrospective. It opened on the day of the final court hearing for Sarah Augusta Jones and Robert Smith, her ex-partner. A custody decision was to be made by the judge. The judge, a woman, was leaning towards giving equal custody rights, even with the evidence of abusing his two sons and their mother. The photographs and narrative exposed the father's history of violence. City wide coverage of the show influenced the judges decision not to give the father custody since he was refusing to attend batterer's re-education therapy. The exhibition was curated by Joseph Mella.

Sarah Augusta Jones Unbeatable...gle Mt, TN © Donna Ferrato 2014

Sarah Augusta Jones Unbeatable Woman Grand Eagle Mt, TN © Donna Ferrato 2014

Sarah and the boys Murfreesbor...intended to kill Sarah someday.

Sarah and the boys Murfreesboro, Tenn ©Donna Ferrato 2012
Finally free of the constant violence, their life became a precarious adventure. But they never felt safe because the father, who did not attend group therapy, stalked them and sent threatening messages that he intended to kill Sarah someday.

Jayden the Bug Whisperer Murfr...itive young man one day become?

Jayden the Bug Whisperer Murfreesboro, TN © Donna Ferrato 2012
As a child, he saw unspeakable things done to his mom, to animals. How could he give voice to where he was at? Who would this amazing, sensitive young man one day become?

Tyler, Murfreesboro, TN ©Donna Ferrato 2013

Jayden, Sarah Augusta, Tyler&a...mp;nbsp;

Jayden, Sarah Augusta, Tyler Murfreesboro, TN ©Donna Ferrato 2014
They faced hardship as a team.

Geoffrey Jones, Sarah's F...ers. I felt great relief."

Geoffrey Jones, Sarah's Father TN ©Donna Ferrato 2015
"When I realized that the ordeal my daughter and her young children had been suffering was over, after two years of litigation and endless meetings with lawyers, psychologists, counselors and social workers. I felt great relief."

The I Am Un-Beatable Campaign ...y: curated by Joseph S. Mella.

The I Am Un-Beatable Campaign launched at the Vanderbilt University gallery, ©Donna Ferrato 2014
Documenting and celebrating stories of empowerment from Living with the Enemy:
curated by Joseph S. Mella.

Carol, Vikki, John and Derrick...e contact sheet. The first day.

Carol, Vikki, John and Derrick Greater Pittsburgh Center & Shelter Pittsburgh, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1986
The contact sheet. The first day.

Carol and her children&nbs...n to stay as long as necessary.

Carol and her children Greater Pittsburgh Center & Shelter Pittsburgh, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1986
Derrick, Vikki, and John relax outside on the steps of the seminary which was converted to a secret refuge for battered women and children to stay as long as necessary.

Portrait of Trauma  V...tsburgh, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1986

Portrait of Trauma Vikki, Carol, Derrick, Pittsburgh, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1986

Vikki and Carol 33 Later&n...a of violence and sexual abuse.

Vikki and Carol 33 Later Pittsburgh, PA © Donna Ferrato 2007
Vikki with Carol reading about themselves in the Living with the Enemy book.
They were together again after more than 20 years. Carol was overjoyed. Vikki was uncomfortable. The memories of endless childhood dysfunction were too strong to forget. After they left the shelter back in 1984, Carol returned to her abuser and stayed with him. Her three children worked hard to submerge the memory of trauma of violence and sexual abuse.

Sister Mary Nearny, Reverend M...women and children from abuse.

Sister Mary Nearny, Reverend Marie Fortune. Denver, CO © Donna Ferrato 1986
Battered Women's activists brainstorm and work on writing laws to protect women and children from abuse.

Police arrest high profile abuser San Diego, CA ©Donna Ferrato 1992
He held his wife hostage and tortured her for days while on a drug and drinking binge. She finally escaped through a window and went directly to the police station to file charges against him.

Charlotte Fedders, ex-wife of ...hat only the poor get battered.

Charlotte Fedders, ex-wife of John Fedders Virginia © Donna Ferrato 1985
Charlotte Fedders was married to a brutal wife beater. John Fedders, the chief law-enforcement officer of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Reagan Administration. Eventually she went public with her story and sued Fedders for divorce charging physical cruelty and puncturing the myth that only the poor get battered.

The Tennessee Medical Associat...ving With the Enemy exhibition.

The Tennessee Medical Association Convention Nashville, TN ©Donna Ferrato 1995
During a break at the conference, doctors were educated as they viewed photographs in Living With the Enemy exhibition.

Diana With Tire Marks on Her C...n argument about child support.

Diana With Tire Marks on Her Chest Hennepin Hospital Minneapolis, MN ©Donna Ferrato 1988
Late one night I was working in the emergency ward when I saw Diana unconscious and surrounded by her sisters They gave permission to photograph her that night. After that, I would visit her every day until she went back home. The story was Diana's boyfriend drove over her chest with his back wheels during an argument about child support.

Janice Boulder CO © Donna Ferr...of the Witness Protection Plan.

Janice Boulder CO © Donna Ferrato 1984
When she thought she had escaped violence, Janice witnessed the murder of her friend, Kim, whose husband repeatedly stabbed her with a kitchen knife in daylight, saying 'I hope she's dead'. Janice tried to stop him. The children saw it happen. They cried at him to stop. The bus driver locked the doors and said to his passengers, "it looks like a domestic folks. Im not going to get involved". Janice was in the shelter as part of the Witness Protection Plan.

Eboni and her mom, Janice. &am...e was curious and affectionate.

Eboni and her mom, Janice. Boulder, CO ©Donna Ferrato 1986
Eboni adored her mom. Her mom had heavy things on her mind, and she was often aloof with her own children. Her precocious 5-year-old daughter, Eboni, was the opposite. She was curious and affectionate.

Eboni  daughter of Ja...leader among all the children.

Eboni daughter of Janice Boulder, CO © Donna Ferrato1986
On the shelter playground, Eboni was clearly the leader among all the children.

Live Without the Enemy &nb...or my work on Gender Injustice.

Live Without the Enemy NYC, NY ©Donna Ferrato 2009
A multimedia slide for the N. Y. Supreme Court Judges. The gave me a lifetime achievement award for my work on Gender Injustice.

Mary Moving Out St. Paul, MI ©...p;nbsp;     .

Mary Moving Out St. Paul, MI ©Donna Ferrato 1987
Women's Advocates, one of the oldest shelters in the US, will soon celebrate their 50th Anniversary. .

Architect Jane Smith, also Co-...art designed by Ivan Chermayeff

Architect Jane Smith, also Co-Chair of DAAP, INC Madison Sq. Park NYC ©Donna Ferrato 2007
Holding the original art of a woman's face cut in the shape of a heart designed by Ivan Chermayeff

Swat Team Leader Mark Wynn&...of proactive police force work.

Swat Team Leader Mark Wynn Nashville, TN © Donna Ferrato 1995
Attending the Medical Convention which was showing the Living with the Enemy exhibition, SWAT Team leader for the Nashville Police Department and founder of the tactical team famous for “Stalking the Stalkers”, Mark Wynn was a national hero known for saving countless women’s lives with his unique brand of proactive police force work.

Roseann Fights Back Pittsburgh, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1984

Pam and Her Baby in the Women ...she was more afraid to go home.

Pam and Her Baby in the Women Against Abuse Shelter Philadelphia, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1985
I met Pam in the middle of the night. She'd just arrived and was extremely tired. I was sleeping in the big communal space. The shelter had a cockroach problem so overhead lights were left on to keep the bugs from dropping down on us. Pam didn't care about the poor conditions in the shelter, she was more afraid to go home.

Pam with her Husband at Home P...t home to make sure she was ok.

Pam with her Husband at Home Philadelphia, PA ©Donna Ferrato 1985
He kept calling her and promised he would change if she went back to him. After she left the shelter, I visited her at home to make sure she was ok.

Ernie & Brianna&nb...ve witnessed domestic violence.

Ernie & Brianna Bristol, VT 1996
Ernie's father was in prison for the attempted murder of their mother.
Ernie and Brianna lived with their mom, Brenda, in a run-down trailer on the outskirts of town.
Ernie had to cope with complicated feelings about the violence he witnessed. In 1996 statistics reported that over 9 million children had witnessed domestic violence in the year. This year it was reported that 15 million children in the US have witnessed domestic violence.

Patrisha McLean Camden, Maine ...https://findingoutvoices.net .

Patrisha McLean Camden, Maine 2023
Patrisha McLean, CEO and founder of Finding Our Voices, a 501 c (3) public charity, and a grass-roots, community organization whose mission is to break the silence of intimate partner abuse. It provides community support and resources for survivors in Maine who are isolated and stigmatized by their abusers and the system.
The assault and battery news of her celebrity husband, Don McLean (Miss American Pie) made headlines in 2016. Following his arrest, women wanted to talk to her about their situations. Patrisha created a photo exhibit, portraits of 14+ local survivors, to travel across Maine. https://findingoutvoices.net.

Bird House Kennebunk Maine &am...? Why such fear and punishment?

Bird House Kennebunk Maine © Donna Ferrato 2023
Now as the cost of living has forced many mothers with children and older women with no where to go, Scotus bans sleeping on the streets.
58% of unhoused women are victims of domestic violence.
In 13 states in the US, women have lost their reproductive rights. Why so little respect for women's autonomy? Why such fear and punishment?

Tribecans at Wall of Silence O...y McCarter came out of nowhere.

Tribecans at Wall of Silence Opening Ceremony Collect Pond Park, NYC N.Y. ©Donna Ferrato 2022
Activist, Noa Brown, holds the poster for Tracy McCarter.
McCarter was charged with 2nd-degree murder for defending herself against her abusive estranged alcoholic ex husband. After the crowd gathered in front of the mirrored jail cell door with a poster, the real Tracy McCarter came out of nowhere.

Self-portrait with Tracy Mc Ca...ogether in a circle around her.

Self-portrait with Tracy Mc Carter and Doraina Rochford Collect Pond Park NY, NY © Donna Ferrato 2022
At the unveiling of the Wall of Silence, Tracy McCarter appeared. She was deeply about the future. She wore an ankle monitor. Surprised and impassioned, the Gibney Storytellers prayed together in a circle around her.

Tracy McCarter at the Wall of ...arly months of COVID.

Tracy McCarter at the Wall of Silence NY NY © Donna Ferrato 2022
Tracy McCarter, nurse, mother, grandmother. She was jailed after her abusive estranged husband, a white man, died of a stab wound when she defended herself during a fight in her home. She called 911, desperate to save his life. The police wrongfully assumed she killed him for his money, (ironically, he was the broke one and had been trying to steal her money to buy alcohol). Yet Tracy was handcuffed and booked that night, sent to Rikers Prison in the early months of COVID.

Tracy McCarter, with her attor...who kill end in a plea bargain.

Tracy McCarter, with her attorney, and NYC DA Alvin Bragg NYC Civil Court ©Donna Ferrato 2023
Steadfastly Tracy refused to take the fall. Wisely NYC D.A. Bragg tried to end the trial because he knew the evidence against her was weak. At the final hearing, D.A. Alvin Bragg asked the judge to dismiss the second-degree murder charges against McCarter. Judge Diane Kessel was unsettled. She wanted a trial.
Fact: 95% of charges against battered women who kill end in a plea bargain.

Joyful Tracy McCarter and her ...riting a book about her ordeal.

Joyful Tracy McCarter and her son Justin Collect Pond Park NYC NY © Donna Ferrato 2023
Justin said that after seeing his own mother criminalized, called a murderer, fighting for her life twice, he felt betrayed by the system caused by bias in the court. Tracy McCarter's exoneration was a tremendous relief. McCarter is writing a book about her ordeal.

Boston Museum of Fine Arts ©Do...nd HOLY (powerHouse Books 2020)

Boston Museum of Fine Arts ©Donna Ferrato 2024
Recent acquisitions talk with collectors and board members. Thanks to the amazing Tony Ganz who donated 17 photographs from the Living with the Enemy archive (Aperture 1991) and HOLY (powerHouse Books 2020)

Boston Museum of Fine Ar ts ©D...nd HOLY (powerHouse Books 2020)

Boston Museum of Fine Arts ©Donna Ferrato 2024
Mother with Sleeping Baby, Philadelphia, PA from Living with the Enemy archive (Aperture 1991) and HOLY (powerHouse Books 2020)

Michael Foley with Living with...d the Binding HOLY book event.

Michael Foley with Living with the Enemy at Leica Gallery Meatpacking, NYC ©Fanny Ferrato 2024
Behind the Binding HOLY book event.

Christy Ferrato Rocky Mts CO ©...o some version of normal."

Christy Ferrato Rocky Mts CO © Donna Ferrato 1993
"Today I look at this photo and think back to the time that's passed. I am free. My home is a safe place. No one has called me a bitch or a cunt for years. It takes time to get back to some version of normal."

Rosane Rod  Bronx, NY...t always visible to the public.

Rosane Rod Bronx, NYC ©Donna Ferrato 2006
The Annual Brides March is an event to raise awareness about systemic abuse of women and children in the home and in the courts. It reminds society that abuse isn't always visible to the public.

Nahara Botero Tribeca, NYC &...er's freedom.

Nahara Botero Tribeca, NYC ©Donna Ferrato 2024
A child of coercive control, Nahara and her mother accomplished the impossible.
Nahara won her 11 year case against her abuser, her father. Her mother never stopped fighting for her daughter's freedom.