Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Beyond Rape: A Survivor's Story

By Joanna Connors and Lisa DeJong

A bold, groundbreaking, piece of journalism in which Joanna Connors turns her reportorial skills on her own sexual assault. Originally published in The Plain Dealer of Cleveland in May, 2008.

First-Person Narrative Goes "Beyond Rape"

The latest Narrative Digest from the Nieman Foundation of Journalism at Harvard University highlights one of the most remarkable narratives of any month. “Beyond Rape: A Survivor’s Journey” was published in a 16-page special section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer in May. More »

Assault Victims Seek Military Justice

Judy Holland of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer carefully documents sexual assault within the military. Statistics and victims’ stories provide context for proposed legislation that would require an investigation into the handling of these cases and provide support for female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. More »

Women Reporting War: Three Challenges

By Judith Matloff

Recently, I sat down with colleagues both male and female to ruminate about where women stood reporting on war.

Women Reporting War

A Frontline Club Discussion

LONDON — Women who report war gathered in London to discuss their safety concerns at a recent forum arranged by the International News Safety Institute and the Dart Centre.

Reporter Defies Air Force Subpoena

By Jesse Tarbert

Unlike other journalists who have defied subpoenas recently, Miles Moffeit is not protecting a high-level government source or someone accused of a serious crime. He's protecting Leah Kaelin, an 18-year-old woman who says she was gang-raped at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas by four fellow airmen in June 2003.

Naming the Victims of Rape

Why it Hurts, What Can Help

By Migael Scherer

After all the loud debate about "public good" and "right to know," it is time to say the words that are best said quietly. The most important reason to refrain from publishing the names of women (and children and men) who report the crime of rape is a simple one: it hurts.

Sexual Abuse of Native American Women

By Laura Sullivan, Amy Walters, and Maria Godoy

One in three Native American women will be raped in her lifetime. This two-part series tells the story behind this shocking statistic — a story of both human tragedy and  systematic failure of criminal justice on and off of reservations.  This series led to the reopening of a sexual assault case, Congressional hearings, and the launching of a website to manage donations to help sexual assault victims living in the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Originally aired on NPR on July 25 and 26, 2007.

Yolanda's Crossing

By Stella Chavez, Paul Meyer, and Lara Solt

In rural Mexico , Yolanda Méndez Torres lived in a society where sexual violence against girls often goes unreported and unpunished. In America , she joined legions of undocumented abuse victims who have little hope of finding justice. This narrative series chronicles Yolanda's crossing between the two worlds. Originally published in The Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX), in Dec., 2006.

What Rape?

By Jeremy Kohler

This story documents the repeated failures of the St. Louis police to respond adequately to serious allegations of sexual abuse. Originally published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in August, 2005.

Rape in a Small Town

By Kate Bramson, Bob Thayer, and Mimi Burkhardt

The story of a 15-year-old girl raped by a popular classmate and of the devastating aftermath for her, her family, and her town. Originally published in the Providence Journal (Providence, RI), in 2003.

So, This is What it's Like to Die

By Jillian Bogater

On her favorite country road, a white pickup truck stopped. The driver asked for directions and drove off. A minute later she heard the pickup behind her. The driver rammed her back tire.

She landed in a gravel ditch on the side of a grassy hill, her ankle broken. He jumped from the driver’s side and grabbed her arm and yanked her up. He tried to put plastic handcuffs on her.

“Get in the truck, bitch!” he yelled.