Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Telling the Hardest Stories

Winners and judges of the Dart Awards for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma break down the process behind  three exemplary stories.

The Craft of Trauma Journalism

Winners of the 2009 Dart Awards for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma discuss journalistic craft and answer questions in a panel discussion at Columbia University.

Video: Designing a Victim's POV

Editing video from last week's panel with winners of the 2009 Dart Awards for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma, one moment stood out. Dart Center's executive director, Bruce Shapiro, was asking how the panelists selected details to include and to exclude when Russell McCrory, designer for The Honolulu Advertiser, made an insightful comment from the audience. More »

The Craft of Trauma Journalism

A sprawling investigation of domestic violence and criminal justice; a first-person narrative trying to understand the writer's rapist; a carefully orchestrated radio series on brutal sexual assault as a weapon of war. The stories honored yesterday as winners of the 2009 Dart Awards for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma appear at first glance to share little in the way of practical approach. More »

2009 Dart Award Winners Announced

The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Dart Awards for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma: The Honolulu Advertiser, The Plain Dealer of Cleveland and Public Radio International's "The World."

Crossing the Line: Abuse in Hawai’i Homes

By Kevin Dayton, Rob Perez, Jeff Widener, and Russell McCrory

This exceptional seven-part investigative series tells the stories of native Hawai’ian women whose lives were forever changed by domestic violence. Originally published in The Honolulu Advertiser in December, 2008.

Daysha's Diary

By Kevin Dayton and Jeff Widener

The intimate diary of Daysha Aiona-Aka, a 21-year old mother who was murdered at the hands of her estranged boyfriend, offers a rare glimpse of the dynamics of unfolding domestic abuse. Originally published in The Honolulu Advertiser in December, 2008 as part of Crossing the Line: Abuse in Hawai'i Homes.

Rape as a Weapon of War

By Jeb Sharp and Jennifer Goren

This five-part investigative series examines the brutality of sexual violence in conflict zones and the medical, humanitarian, legal, and political response to it. Originally aired on Public Radio International's "The World"  between January and June, 2008.

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.

Ceremony and Event: Voices of Witness

At Columbia University in New York City, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma honors the winners of the 2009 Dart Awards for Excellence in Coverage of Trauma and presents a panel with the award winners on "Voices of Witness: The Craft of Trauma Journalism."