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Iselin Rose Borch, Teen Survivor, Finds Solace In Dog After Utoya Massacre (PHOTO)

How A 15-Year-Old Massacre Survivor Found Solace
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Capturing the heartache caused by the 2011 massacre in Utøya, Norway, a photograph of a young survivor and her dogs reminds us not just of the lingering pain in the aftermath of a tragedy, but also of the moving power of hope -- and love.

"In the period after Utøya, I had a really hard time sleeping," said 15-year-old Iselin Rose Borch, according to the caption attached to the touching photo. "I was afraid of the dark and suffered from dreadful nightmares. My mom and I decided that getting a dog might help me, so I got Athene. Now she sleeps on top of my stomach every night.”

(Story continues below.)

Borch, with little Athene and her family's large mastiff. (Credit: Andrea Gjestvang/Moment/Sony World Photography Awards via AP Images)

Borch was on the island of Utøya when Anders Behring Breivik went on a killing spree there, murdering 69 people, most of them teenagers, in July 2011. She said she survived the massacre by hiding behind a rock. She was later rescued by tourists on a boat.

The photo of Borch, taken by 32-year-old Norweigian photographer Andrea Gjestvang, is one of a series of award-winning portraits of youths who survived the Utøya massacre. Earlier this week, Gjestvang clinched the title of "Photographer of the Year" at the Sony World Photography Awards for her poignant portrait series.

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Before You Go

Sony World Photography Award Winners
Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi, Romania, Youth Photographer of the Year, 2013(01 of35)
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New Year's eve traditions in RomaniaCredit: © Alecsandra Dragoi, Romania, Youth Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Andrea Gjestvang)
Valerio Bispuri, Italy, 1st place, Contemporary Issues, Professional Competition 2013(02 of35)
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Prisons of South America - Close-up of prisoners eyes in one of the most violent prisons near Caracas, Venezuela, where many are armed.Credit: © Valerio Bispuri, Italy, Winner, Professional Contemporary Issues, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Valerio Bispuri)
Valerio Bispuri, Italy, 1st place, Contemporary Issues, Professional Competition 2013(03 of35)
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Prisons of South America - Prison inmates Santiago, ChileCredit: © Valerio Bispuri, Italy, Winner, Professional Contemporary Issues, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Valerio Bispuri)
Ilya Pitalev, Russian Federation, 1st Place, Current Affairs, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards(04 of35)
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North Korean Army soldiers and civilians on the stand of the Kim Il Sung Stadium. Credit: © Ilya Pitalev, Russia, Winner, Professional Current Affairs, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Ilya Pitalev)
Ilya Pitalev, Russian Federation, 1st Place, Current Affairs, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards(05 of35)
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School students and soldier at an official ceremony of unveiling a monument to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Credit: © Ilya Pitalev, Russia, Winner, Professional Current Affairs, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Ilya Pitalev)
Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Vietnam, Open Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards(06 of35)
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That girl stand firm in the 'storm', When confronting challenges, she will never give up.Credit: © Hoang Hiep Nguyen, Vietnam, Open Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Hoang Hiep Nguyen)
Myriam Meloni, Italy, 1st Place, Arts and Culture, Professional Competition, 2013(07 of35)
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The twins Laura and Bela on the day of their fifteenth birthday celebration. In Latin America, the celebration of the fifteenth birthday of a teenager is very important because it marks the transition from childhood to maturity.Credit: © Myriam Meloni, Italy, Winner, Professional Arts & Culture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Myriam Meloni)
Myriam Meloni, Italy, 1st Place, Arts and Culture, Professional Competition, 2013(08 of35)
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A Ford Fairlane from 1972, transformed into a limousine, wanders around the streets of Buenos AiresCredit: © Myriam Meloni, Italy, Winner, Professional Arts & Culture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Myriam Meloni)
Nenad Saljic, Croatia, 1st Place, Landscape, Professional Competition 2013(09 of35)
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Eastern Clouds #1 23 July 2012 - 6:46 PM - Matterhorn 4478m, SwitzerlandCredit: © Nenad Saljic, Croatia, Winner, Professional Landscape, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Nenad Saljic)
Nenad Saljic, Croatia, 1st Place, Landscape, Professional Competition 2013(10 of35)
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Night Clouds #3, 07 Jan 2012 - 3:17 AM - Matterhorn 4478m at full moon.Credit: © Nenad Saljic, Croatia, Winner, Professional Landscape, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Nenad Saljic)
Natalia Wiernik, Poland, Student Focus Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards(11 of35)
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In the same way as the boundaries of tolerance grow, the notion of family escapes the limitations of one simple definition.More and more frequently, relations are formed not on the basis of blood ties but based on similarities. These can stem from corresponding experience, shared values or emotional closeness. Paradoxically, similarities may even draw on oddity and peculiarity. It is then that the eccentricity of the individuals that meet becomes a keystone that allows for the formation of a certain community-family.The protagonists of my pictures are taken out of the context of place and time. They share visual kinship which is further emphasized by the scenery among which they are placed. We can only wonder what their relationships out of the frame are and whether the community they have formed in front of the eye of the camera really exists. It is entirely up to us to decide what conclusions we will draw and whether we will resist the temptation to classify and judge quickly. Credit: © Natalia Wiernik Poland, Student Focus Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Natalia Wiernik)
Natalia Wiernik, Poland, Student Focus Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards(12 of35)
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In the same way as the boundaries of tolerance grow, the notion of family escapes the limitations of one simple definition.More and more frequently, relations are formed not on the basis of blood ties but based on similarities. These can stem from corresponding experience, shared values or emotional closeness. Paradoxically, similarities may even draw on oddity and peculiarity. It is then that the eccentricity of the individuals that meet becomes a keystone that allows for the formation of a certain community-family.The protagonists of my pictures are taken out of the context of place and time. They share visual kinship which is further emphasized by the scenery among which they are placed. We can only wonder what their relationships out of the frame are and whether the community they have formed in front of the eye of the camera really exists. It is entirely up to us to decide what conclusions we will draw and whether we will resist the temptation to classify and judge quickly. Credit: © Natalia Wiernik Poland, Student Focus Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Natalia Wiernik)
Natalia Wiernik, Poland, Student Focus Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards(13 of35)
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In the same way as the boundaries of tolerance grow, the notion of family escapes the limitations of one simple definition.More and more frequently, relations are formed not on the basis of blood ties but based on similarities. These can stem from corresponding experience, shared values or emotional closeness. Paradoxically, similarities may even draw on oddity and peculiarity. It is then that the eccentricity of the individuals that meet becomes a keystone that allows for the formation of a certain community-family.The protagonists of my pictures are taken out of the context of place and time. They share visual kinship which is further emphasized by the scenery among which they are placed. We can only wonder what their relationships out of the frame are and whether the community they have formed in front of the eye of the camera really exists. It is entirely up to us to decide what conclusions we will draw and whether we will resist the temptation to classify and judge quickly. Credit: © Natalia Wiernik Poland, Student Focus Photographer of the Year, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Natalia Wiernik)
Gali Tibbon, Israel, 1st Place, Travel, Professional Competition 2013(14 of35)
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A ray of light penetrates into the church from a cross shaped window as a pilgrim walks by.Credit: © Gali Tibbon, Israel, Winner, Professional Travel, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Gali Tibbon)
Gali Tibbon, Israel, 1st Place, Travel, Professional Competition 2013(15 of35)
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An infertile woman is baptized by priests; according to faith the water has fertility powers that will allow her to conceive.Credit: © Gali Tibbon, Israel, Winner, Professional Travel, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Gali Tibbon)
Christian Aslund, Sweden, 1st Place, Campaign, Professional Competition, 2013(16 of35)
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Project: Honkey Kong - a 2d platform game tribute. Shot on location in Hong Kong. Images were shot from skyscrapers toward the ground, using a telephoto lens to make the image as flat as possible to make it look like a platform game.Credit: ©Christian Åslund, Winner, Professional Campaign, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Christian Åslund)
Christian Aslund, Sweden, 1st Place, Campaign, Professional Competition, 2013(17 of35)
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Project: Honkey Kong - a 2d platform game tribute. Shot on location in Hong Kong. Images were shot from skyscrapers toward the ground, using a telephoto lens to make the image as flat as possible to make it look like a platform game.Credit: ©Christian Åslund, Winner, Professional Campaign, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Christian Åslund)
Vanessa Colareta, Peru, 1st Place, Still Life, Professional, 2013(18 of35)
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Still life with oranges, lemons and bread - "Migrant" is a photographic series based on the reinterpretation of Spanish Still Life of the XVII to XIX centuries from the collection of the Prado Museum. Multiculturalism is the main theme of the images that make up the series and are based on texts and testimonies on female migration experiences in Valencia. Credit: © Vanessa Colareta, Peru, Winner, Professional Still Life, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Vanessa Colareta)
Vanessa Colareta, Peru, 1st Place, Still Life, Professional, 2013(19 of35)
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Pears, blue cheese and vessels - "Migrant" is a photographic series based on the reinterpretation of Spanish Still Life of the XVII to XIX centuries from the collection of the Prado Museum. Multiculturalism is the main theme of the images that make up the series and are based on texts and testimonies on female migration experiences in Valencia. Credit:© Vanessa Colareta, Peru, Winner, Professional Still Life, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Vanessa Colareta)
Jens Juul, Denmark, 1st Place, Portraiture, Professional, 2013(20 of35)
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Anonymous woman Credit: © Jens Juul, Denmark, Winner, Professional Portraiture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Jens Juul)
Jens Juul, Denmark, 1st Place, Portraiture, Professional, 2013(21 of35)
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Anonymous man Credit: © Jens Juul, Denmark, Winner, Professional Portraiture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Jens Juul)
Satoru Kondo, Japan, 1st Place, Nature & Wildlife, Professional Competition 2013(22 of35)
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Callalily - Every flower has different most beautiful momentCredit: © Satoru Kondo, Japan, Winner, Professional Nature & Wildlife, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Satoru Kondo)
Satoru Kondo, Japan, 1st Place, Nature & Wildlife, Professional Competition 2013(23 of35)
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Credit: © Alice Caputo, Italy, Winner, Professional Lifestyle, 2013 Sony World Photography AwardsTulip - Every flower has different most beautiful momentCredit: © Satoru Kondo, Japan, Winner, Professional Nature & Wildlife, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Satoru Kondo)
Adam Pretty, Australia, 1st Place, Sport, Professional Competition, 2013(24 of35)
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Melissa Wu of Australia practices during a 10m platform diving training session ahead of the London Olympic GamesCredit: © Adam Pretty/Getty Images, Australia, Winner, Professional Sport, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Adam Pretty)
Adam Pretty, Australia, 1st Place, Sport, Professional Competition, 2013(25 of35)
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Usain Bolt of Jamaica races ahead of the field to win the mens 100m Olympic finalCredit: © Adam Pretty/Getty Images, Australia, Winner, Professional Sport, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Adam Pretty)
Klaus Thymann, Denmark, 1st Place, Fashion & Beauty, Professional Competition 2013(26 of35)
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This shot was taken on the slowly moving edges of a glacier. Credit: © Klaus Thymann, Denmark, Winner, Professional Fashion & Beauty, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Klaus Thymann)
Klaus Thymann, Denmark, 1st Place, Fashion & Beauty, Professional Competition 2013(27 of35)
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Even in the summer temperature are low on Iceland, so we had to be organised and quick so the model did not get cold. Credit: © Klaus Thymann, Denmark, Winner, Professional Fashion & Beauty, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Klaus Thymann)
Roman Pyatkovka, Ukraine, 1st Place, Conceptual, Professional Competition, 2013(28 of35)
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The pictures and pages from the magazine "Soviet Photo" and the author's works of the soviet period were used in this series.Credit:© Roman Pyatkovka, Ukraine, Winner, Professional Conceptual, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Roman Pyatkovka)
Roman Pyatkovka, Ukraine, 1st Place, Conceptual, Professional Competition, 2013(29 of35)
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The pictures and pages from the magazine "Soviet Photo" and the author's works of the soviet period were used in this series.Credit: © Roman Pyatkovka, Ukraine, Winner, Professional Conceptual, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Roman Pyatkovka)
Alice Caputo, Italy, 1st Place, Lifestyle, Professional Competition, 2013(30 of35)
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The images show the photographer’s family on a seaside holiday in Liguria in the summer of 2012. Credit: © Alice Caputo, Italy, Winner, Professional Lifestyle, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Alice Caputo)
Alice Caputo, Italy, 1st Place, Lifestyle, Professional Competition, 2013(31 of35)
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The images show the photographer’s family on a seaside holiday in Liguria in the summer of 2012. Credit: © Alice Caputo, Italy, Winner, Professional Lifestyle, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Alice Caputo)
Andrea Gjestvang, Norway, 1st Place, People, Professionl Competition, 2013(32 of35)
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"In the period after Utøya I had a really hard time sleeping. I was afraid of the dark and suffered from dreadful nightmares. My mom and I decided that getting a dog might help me, so I got Athene. Now she sleeps on top of my stomach every night.”Iselin Rose Borch (15) from Grong was hiding behind a rock by the pump house on the island. She was rescued by tourists in a boat. Credit: © Andrea Gjestvang/Moment, Norway, Winner, Professional People, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Andrea Gjestvang)
Andrea Gjestvang, Norway, 1st Place, People, Professionl Competition, 2013(33 of35)
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“I bear my scares with dignity, because I got them standing for something I believe in,” says Ylva Schwenke (15). Ylva from Tromsø hid by a path called “The love path”. She was shot in the shoulder, her stomach and in both of her thighs. Credit: © Andrea Gjestvang/Moment, Norway, Winner, Professional People, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Andrea Gjestvang)
Fabrice Fouillet, France, 1st Place, Architecture, Professional Competition, 2013(34 of35)
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St Jean Boscot-Paris-Dimitrou Rotter-1938Credit: ©Fabrice Fouillet, France, Winner, Professional Architecture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Fabrice Fouillet)
Fabrice Fouillet, France,1st Place, Architecture, Professional Competition, 2013(35 of35)
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St Ludwig-Saarelouis(Germany)-Gottfried Böhm-1970Credit: ©Fabrice Fouillet, France, Winner, Professional Architecture, 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (credit:Fabrice Fouillet)
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