A call to action Shaping the public conversation Domestic and family violence, in all is a violation of basic human rights. Everyone, regardless of their sex, religion, nationality, race, language, relationship, or living arrangements, has the right to feel safe, and be safe, in public and at home. Domestic and family violence must not be accepted or excused. Journalists can play a powerful role in helping to build a society where fewer people find excuses for violent behaviour, fewer people blame victims, and where all members of the community are informed and empowered to take action to stop domestic and family violence. With more media reporting on the issue and more public discussion, Queenslanders can be challenged to rethink their attitudes towards domestic and family violence. However, journalists are often faced with difficult questions about whether to report and how to report on this important social issue. This media guide is a resource to support journalists in reporting on domestic and family violence incidents. But it is more than that. This guide outlines some of the key issues we still face in changing community attitudes towards domestic and family violence and seeks the media’s support in tackling these issues. The Queensland Government recognises that domestic and family violence occurs in a range of relationships but for the purposes of this guide and in recognition of the gendered nature of the issue, some examples in this guide may reference victims as female and perpetrators as male. The Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland provided its report, Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland (Not Now, Not Ever report) to the Premier and Minister for the Arts in February 2015. The report contains 140 recommendations and outlines a framework for a vision all Queenslanders can live free from domestic and family violence. The Government accepted all 121 Government based recommendations and supported the 19 recommendations. In acknowledgement of the influential role media has in shaping community perceptions on the issue, the Taskforce recommended the development of a media guide (recommendation 70). Community attitudes
Our Watch: Interested in potential sources of information? Ending Violence Against Women Queensland—The peak body for sexual violence, women’s health and domestic and family violence services: DVConnect: Legal Service: Queensland Law Society: Aid Queensland: Australian Psychological Society: Tips for supporting survivors and families Stories about domestic and family violence help to raise awareness and can provide genuine assistance to those experiencing domestic and family violence. However, people who are, or who have been, affected by domestic and family violence are often vulnerable. Even if a survivor presents as confident and comfortable about speaking to the media, they may not have considered the immediate and longer-term impacts of a news story. The following questions have been developed in consultation with domestic and family violence service providers. They are intended to raise awareness of issues that may arise and prompt discussions in newsrooms as to what may be most appropriate in the individual circumstances of each story. When compiling a always make the safety and needs of victims/survivors your first priority. Does the interviewee have the emotional and psychological stability required to be interviewed at this time? The trauma of domestic and family violence can impair a person’s thinking and decision-making ability. It may be appropriate to the interview or wait until a support person is available to assist them. Are there any additional steps the newsroom can take to support the interviewee? For example, it may be helpful for a support worker to follow up with the interviewee after the interview, to check on their wellbeing. Does the interviewee want to know when the story will be printed, uploaded or broadcast? They may want to see the story or they may want to switch off from media during that period.