When it comes to reporting on domestic abuse, the media must balance its core functions, often in a 24 hour news cycle, with responsible reportage.
Unfortunately, the media hasn’t always got this balance right. Public attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions about domestic abuse can obscure responsible reportage, while the nature of the news cycle itself can mean journalists risk misrepresenting the context of domestic abuse at a systemic level.
According to the 2019 Our Watch National Reporting Guidelines on domestic violence media reporting can help audiences understand the nature of domestic abuse and how it can be prevented, can illustrate how to seek support, and can influence public policy and legislation.
Studies show concerning trends in how domestic abuse is reported.
A 2016 study found the majority of reportage was incident-based, and half of all sources were either from the police or had a criminal justice lens. 9.9 per cent of sources included advocates and 8.7 per cent included victim-survivor perspectives, showing how limited resources and 24/7 news cycles can limit contextual reportage.
While journalists are dependent on the information available to them (for example from official sources like police), they do have the power to frame stories. Legal limitations on what can be reported at what stage of an investigation or arrest must be considered, however providing additional context about the nature of domestic abuse, and including expert and victim-survivor perspectives, is considered best practice where possible.
In one example that received a caution from Media Watch, journalists had published comments from friends and family that a man who had allegedly shot his wife, daughter and grandchildren, was a ‘good bloke.’ As stated by journalist Margaret Simons in the episode: “The nature of family violence is that it is hidden. Friends, neighbours and colleagues therefore do not necessarily know about it, and their testimony is of limited use and meaning.”
2021 research also showed that 78 per cent of articles described domestic abuse cases as isolated incidents – an inference that ignores evidence about domestic abuse as a pattern of behaviour. The study found that 90.9 per cent of articles focused on physical violence or homicide, distorting the reality of other forms of non-physical domestic abuse.
Speaking with the ABC, journalist and academic Dr Jenna Price said domestic abuse coverage could be thorough but “usually around some terrible violent death. What we don’t do is have a concerted effort to cover it every single day or even once a week in a very forensic way.”
Tendencies to use sensational language or headlines, or providing excuses for violence such as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, jealousy, or losing control, are other issues to look out for.
A recent survey revealed that only 2 in 5 people know where to find support for domestic violence. In a 2016 study, only 4.3 per cent of news reports included help-seeking information. This is in contrast to the Our Watch guidelines, which highlight the crucial role media can play to help people identify and seek support for domestic abuse.
Academic Annie Blatchford said in The Conversation in 2018, that there have been recent improvements in reportage to contextualise, to provide support information, and to hold perpetrators to account.
Journalists have an obligation to report responsibly to counteract attitudes that excuse and de-contextualise violence against women. This includes identifying gendered drivers of violence, naming the violent act, holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, and humanising victim-survivors.
There are many resources for reporters to turn to when reporting on domestic abuse, or working with victim-survivors. These include reporting guidelines from Our Watch and the Australian Press Council.
