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 The trauma of domestic and family violence can psychological stability required to be impair a person’s thinking and decision-making interviewed at this time? 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 For example, it may be helpful for a support can take to support the interviewee? worker to follow up with the interviewee after the interview, to check on their wellbeing. Does the interviewee want to know when the They may want to see the story or they may want to switch off from media during that story will be printed, uploaded or broadcast? period.
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.
domestic-family-violence-media-guide.docx