Violence against women often downplayed by media, study says

The language used to describe violence against women and girls (VAWG) can have a major impact on victims, survivors and those still suffering in silence.

That's the finding of a new report which is looking at how some media can sensationalise cases for clicks.

We're highlighting its conclusions on day four of our #ReportIt campaign, looking at the scale of the issue and what we in the media can do to help.

So far this week we've revealed reports of sexual assaults against women are at record levels in the UK, plus that media reporting on the issue can have a significant impact on survivors.

We have also shared what the police are doing to try and improve conviction rates nationally.

This month a report by two German academics has concluded changing just one word in a media report on VAWG can have a significant impact on how the news is perceived.

The report

Published in the scientific journal Violence Against Women, it looks at how the wording of a news article about the murder of a woman, can impact the emotional response of the reader.

We have spoken to its co-authors, psychologists Ursula Christmann and Julia Schnepf from Heidelberg in Germany, to hear all about it.

"We conducted an empirical study in Germany and in the US(A) and we used a small newspaper text in which the same crime was worded either as a 'domestic drama', which means (a) downplaying frame, or as 'murder', which would be the adequate label," Ursula said.

"After reading, we had subjects online reading the text, we assessed emotional reactions and evaluations of the crime circumstances and penalty suggestions for the perpetrator.

"All together we found that there was a difference in the emotional reactions by subjects, such as that subjects emotional reactions were stronger when the offence was named 'murder'."

There was one finding, Ursula says, which was particularly interesting.

"This effect was particularly strong by subjects which were high in hostile sexism," she said.

Her co-author Julia called it a "really interesting" finding.

"People who have very hostile attitudes towards women have been positively affected by using adequate crime labels such as murder, compared to 'domestic drama'," she said.

"It's a very interesting finding that those people were most strongly effected by the adequate framing."

Language and victim blaming

Ursula and Julia's study also found that including context to the story, for example that the victim cheated on their partner before being killed also had a big impact, including increasing victim blaming "to a really high extent".

"It really matters on the one side which kind of labels are used, and what information is given," she said.

What it means

Julia tells us the issue of violence against women, and the downplaying of crimes in the media, is a global issue and "one of the most severe problems that we face in human development".

The report though, goes some way to suggesting how we can improve things.

"Changing one word in a text does make a difference," Ursula said.

"With regard to violence against women, I recognise that in the media the matter of fact that is killing a person, is downplayed and trivialised by using labels such as 'crime of passion' or 'family tragedy' or 'relationship tragedy' and so on.

"By using these terms the recipients do not really acknowledge that it is (a) murder."

"There are a lot of examples of downplaying language in the case of violence against women as a broader topic," Julia said.

"So we are not yet finished (tackling the problem)."

Ursula added that consistent downplaying of the facts in cases of violence against women, "implies a distorted reality" for which women suffer.

"It leads to a preservation of the present status cuo, and it implies unfair gender relations," she said.

"We think if you want to change something in society you have to choose the correct wording.

"You should also be aware that language is a powerful tool...and it can be used and abused."

Going forward

Ursula and Julia's research raises the question, should formal media guidelines be brought in regarding how journalists cover stories of violence against women?

Some charities nationwide have already created some, but they are not widely followed.

In contrast suicide prevention charity the Samaritans created guidelines on how to cover stories of self harm almost 30 years ago, in 1994.

They were put together after scientific research, much like that conducted by Ursula and Julia, found problematic language used in media reports could inspire other people to harm themselves.

Today, the Samaritans guidelines are widely followed.

"I think that's because of the research evidence showing the very high risks (poor reporting on suicide can have)," said Lorna Fraser, who leads the Smaritans' media advisory service.

"We are talking potentially in the worst case scenario about life or death.

"It can influence people's behaviour in a very negative way."

Analysis conducted by the Samaritans of media reporting over the last decade, Lorna says, shows a much greater understanding among journalists today of the risks of covering suicide.

"In that time we've seen a vast improvement in how the topic is approached," she said.

When it comes to violence against women in contrast, Ursula and Julia say their research is some of the first they are aware of covering language in the media.

Support

If you are a survivor of violence against women, you can access a wide range of support services via this link.

Similarly, if you are suffering from suicidal thoughts, you can call the Samaritans for free any time on 116 123.

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