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The internet has made several conversations more accessible to the wider public. It has changed the way we speak about issues; this is neither a bad nor a good thing. Domestic violence is one such issue that has had plenty of media coverage, even before the internet.
This media coverage has shaped the way we approach a conversation about domestic violence, though it has also led to a trivialization of what is a very serious issue.
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The Role Of Media
The portrayal of domestic violence in the media has led to desensitisation of the issue. In cases of domestic violence, the media tends to sensationalise the acts that were carried out, instead of addressing the core issue.
The abuser is often humanised. While some say that it is an attempt to show that anyone could be an abuser, it tends to overshadow the abused and their pain.
The media also tends to over-report domestic violence. Articles about domestic violence aim to provoke the public without taking into account that there is an actual person that has undergone a lot of pain and trauma.
Over-reporting also leads to desensitisation, as it prompts people to think that these things happen often. The focus should be on why. Unfortunately, this does not happen, and people have become used to seeing reports of domestic violence across the world.
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Newspapers also tend to focus on how the abuse was carried out. Thus, the method of abuse becomes more important than the reason why the abuse was carried out. This tends to create a disconnect between the general public and the abused.
Domestic violence is an epidemic, with more and more cases being reported daily. While each case is important, the media tends to sensationalise more gruesome acts of violence. In some, it evokes sympathy; in others, it evokes indifference.
We have grown accustomed to seeing the negative consequences of domestic violence without understanding how we can prevent it. To combat this issue, we need to create actual support systems that do not depend on media coverage that glorifies domestic violence.
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FAQs
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How is domestic violence depicted in the media?
Domestic violence is often sensationalised by the media. It is being used to garner viewers rather than report incidents.
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How does the media affect our view of domestic violence?
The portrayal of domestic violence tends to desensitise us to the seriousness of the issue. Many also consider this to be a gross misuse of other people’s pain and suffering.
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How can we help those suffering from domestic violence?
The three main ways you can help domestic violence survivors are by offering support, listening to them, and providing them with resources that help.
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How many domestic violence cases are there worldwide?
The WHO reports that 1 in every 3 women worldwide is subjected to domestic violence at least once in their lives.
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Should the media report domestic violence?
Yes, the media should continue to report domestic violence. However, the sensationalization of domestic violence needs to be replaced by accurate reporting of events.
PlanetSpark encourages our students to learn how to communicate and think critically, especially about serious social issues.
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