When the police officers arrived, 5-year-old Ernie ran out the front door crying, "He's gonna kill my mommy." As the police attempted to mace the father, he used his daughter as a shield. When the police took him away, he yelled to his wife that he was going to find her…that she would not know when he would appear next. Ferrato met Ernie and Brianna in February 1997. For more than a year, Ferrato photographed the family as the mother tried to get help.
At least 10 million children in the United States live in abusive households. Researchers have found that children as young as 2 years old will emulate violent behaviors, and may come to perceive them as normal. Half of the girls whose mothers are battered will become involved with abusive men. As many as 75 percent of children who see their fathers battering their mothers have behavioral problems. A history of family violence is one of the greatest predictors of juvenile delinquency later. Now, ten years later, Ferrato has reconnected with this family. Unfortunately, young Ernie and Brianna are the real faces behind the statistics. Ernie and Brianna's stories will be told in the upcoming documentary "Living Without The Enemy."
At least 10 million children in the United States live in abusive households. Researchers have found that children as young as 2 years old will emulate violent behaviors, and may come to perceive them as normal. Half of the girls whose mothers are battered will become involved with abusive men. As many as 75 percent of children who see their fathers battering their mothers have behavioral problems. A history of family violence is one of the greatest predictors of juvenile delinquency later. Now, ten years later, Ferrato has reconnected with this family. Unfortunately, young Ernie and Brianna are the real faces behind the statistics. Ernie and Brianna's stories will be told in the upcoming documentary "Living Without The Enemy."
