Broken Free

Broken Free is a photo-based project that promotes awareness of abuse, assault, and violence, while empowering survivors to break the silence. As a survivor of abuse, Paola Katherine realized that one important thing that was taken away from her during the time was her voice. In the series, she photographs fellow survivors as they share with her their personal experience, their intimate space, and anything pertinent to the events. Once the photographs are printed, survivors then have the choice to voice themselves through handwritten anecdotes on some of the photographs. While an image can often speak for itself, the writing can tell a lot about the subject, not just because of what is written, but also how and where it is written. This combination of handwriting and image juxtaposes a survivor’s past with their present; it becomes like a diary entry, allowing for intimacy, authenticity, and vulnerability, providing insight into where each person stands in their healing journey. It also invites the viewer to witness this collaboration, to initiate a conversation on how to address this social injustice, and to help motivate more survivors to speak out and break free.

Broken Free is made possible by survivors of various forms of victimization in Miami, who volunteered to be photographed and to share their story.  

This project is dedicated to the memory of co-founder and final participant Juan / Jonnie. 

Juan was not only the co-founder, but also the interviewer, editor, and at times photographer. Juan and Paola were able to work with about twenty-three survivors. 

Everyone is deserving of a safe space to express and process intense emotions and traumatizing experiences.

Broken Free is that space for the community. And the work is far from over.

Forever grateful for J., for being the biggest part of Broken Free, for bringing this project to life.

Endless gratitude to everyone that has contributed, whether through participation, promotion, support, testimony, to help survivors break free.   

Thank you.