If you are a journalist writing a story about violence against women and girls, please read this guidance.
What is Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)?
VAWG encompasses all violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, so called ‘honour’ based abuse and technology-based crimes.
Domestic abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual and can involve incidents or patterns of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading, and violent behaviour. It typically takes place within close relationships, usually by partners, ex-partners or family members.
Reporting Violence Against Women and Girls in the Media
Guidance for interviewing survivors
When interviewing survivors of domestic abuse, it is crucial that you approach the conversation with empathy, sensitivity, and respect for the survivor’s boundaries.
Ahead of the interview, provide as much information as you can, preferably specific questions, so that the survivor can be prepared.
During the interview, begin by ensuring the survivor feels safe and in control of the process, allowing them to set the pace and choose what to share. Avoid pressing for details that could retraumatise them or invade their privacy. Use language that is nonjudgmental and supportive, and be mindful of the power dynamics at play. Additionally, prioritise the survivor’s safety: do not reveal identifying information without explicit consent. Remember that your role is to amplify their voice without causing harm.
After the interview, communicate how and when the content will be used in a timely manner. The survivor will have shared personal and sensitive information, and it is important to respect the time and trust they have given you.
Signposting
When covering a domestic abuse story, always include information for readers who may need support.
Survivors can contact Solace on 0808 802 5565 or advice@solacewomensaid.org. We also have a chatbot and Live Chat service on www.solacewomensaid.org.
Other services are available:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
- Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
- National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
In immediate danger, always call 999.
Statistics
Domestic abuse and domestic homicides are not isolated incidents: one woman is killed every two days in the UK. An estimated 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Accurate statistics and context are crucial to portray the full impact of VAWG. We have statistics available on our website here, and more available from our media team – contact media@solacewomensaid.org.
Language
Using the right language around domestic abuse and sexual violence is crucial for several reasons, including accurate representation, validation of survivor experiences, awareness and education, avoiding minimisation, encouraging reporting and preventing harm to survivors through insensitivity.
Key terms:
Use “domestic abuse” rather than “domestic violence”, which can imply that only physical violence counts as abuse.
Use “survivor” when referring to someone who has experienced domestic abuse in the past, as it is more likely to positively impact their self-perception and how they frame their experience. Use “victim” in the context of criminal justice, such as when reporting a crime or referring to a woman who has been killed, or when a woman describes herself as one.
You can use victim-survivor if you are unsure or speaking more generally.
Place survivors’/victims’ and experts’ voices at the centre of the story
Prioritise quotes from (or about) the survivor/victim to keep their voice central in the story. This approach resonates deeply with those who have experienced abuse and those currently enduring it.
Consider how you portray the victim/survivor
If you want to include a photo in an article about a woman killed in a historic domestic homicide, contact her family or next of kin first, if possible, to avoid causing additional trauma. Avoid placing the perpetrator’s photo next to the victim’s, as families and friends are likely to find this distressing.
Avoid attributing blame to a victim for events that happen before an assault or domestic homicide. Instead, provide context by including terms like “abused” to convey the broader picture.
Consider how you portray the perpetrator
Avoid centring the perpetrator, as platforming their voice can normalise or minimise their behaviour, traumatise survivors, and suggest that such actions are acceptable or make them worthy of attention.
Focus on the impact of the crime on the victim-survivor, rather than the impact on the perpetrator
Use the active voice when describing abuse or an assault, e.g. ‘the perpetrator assaulted the victim’
Selecting images
Consider how the images you use contribute to wider perceptions of abuse: avoid using images that feed into harmful stereotypes or are objectifying.
Consent
Women can be raped or sexually assaulted by their partners within a relationship. Consent for one sexual act does not imply consent for future acts. Do not describe sexual or intimate activity between an adult and someone under 18 as a relationship, for example, a 28-year-old man engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl is committing abuse, as she cannot legally consent.
For more information on responsible reporting of VAWG, see:
Solace media contact Information:
media@solacewomensaid.org
www.solacewomensaid.org