Indian American Journalist Viji Sundaram Receives Society of Professional Journalists Award for Series on Domestic Violence
- Her stories for San Francisco Public Press focused on expanding the definition of domestic abuse in California and its uneven application in family court.
Journalist Viji Sundaram has received an award from the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) for a series on domestic abuse in California for the San Francisco Public Press.
The Indian American won a health reporting award for three stories from the series titled “Coercive Control: Abuse That Leaves No Marks,” according to an SPJ press release. It focused on “expanding the definition of domestic abuse in California and its uneven application in family court,” SPJ said.
Formerly health editor of New America Media in San Francisco, Sundaram has worked as a reporter for several publications including India-West, the Cape Cod Times, Providence Journal and New Bedford Standard-Times, according to her San Francisco Public Press profile. She has received several fellowships and won 11 journalism awards, including one for her expose on McDonald’s use of beef in its so-called vegetarian fries.
Sundaram is also the co-founder of Narika, a Berkeley-based helpline for South Asian women and is also a passionate animal rights activist. Her professional affiliations include the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Society for Professional Journalists and the South Asian Journalists Association.