‘Dig into the complexities’ of domestic violence with this new reporter toolkit

A new playbook offers guidance to reporters on how to improve their coverage of domestic violence.

The resource, produced by a team of journalists and survivors of domestic violence, makes the case for why reporters need to do better, more in-depth coverage of the issue.

"We believe that ending domestic violence requires changing the conversation about it," the playbook reads. "We want to create a world where people treat domestic violence as a health equity issue and a multigenerational cycle that can be prevented."

The playbook is broken up into six categories: safety, solutions, sensitivity, transparency, expertise and diversity. Each includes practical tips for reporters.

The guide features research and data on domestic violence, a list of terminologies, a source directory and explains how it intersects with other issues, including gun violence.

"This resource reflects the input of dozens of working journalists, survivors of and people experiencing domestic violence, and advocates and practitioners in the fields of domestic violence, health equity, and journalism," the playbook reads.

More about the playbook

The playbook's guidance is divided into six categories:

1. Safety. Reporting on domestic violence requires taking the safety of survivors and their families seriously, the playbook reads. This may include protecting a source's identity by offering anonymity or leaving out identifying details like where they work or go to school. Reporters are also advised to get informed consent before fact-checking with other sources. Finally, if a source stops feeling safe sharing their story, journalists should be prepared to change course.

1. Solutions. Including solutions in a story about domestic violence is an opportunity to empower survivors and audiences who want to learn how to prevent it. The playbook recommends reporting on "programs, organizations and interventions that have successfully supported survivors" and explains how they work and their impact. Also, journalists should look into the systems that are in place to protect and support victims to determine if they're operating effectively. Another solutions-oriented practice is to challenge myths and misconceptions about domestic violence.

1. Sensitivity. The trauma from abuse has long-lasting impacts on the body, brain and across generations. The playbook encourages reporters to prioritize learning about the basics of trauma and the cultural contexts in which violence occurs. Also, reporters must be willing to put their source's well-being and safety above a deadline. And it's important to always include a content warning on any story about domestic violence.
   
2. Transparency. As with any source in a sensitive situation, journalists should be transparent with sources about what to expect from the reporting process. This transparency gives sources an opportunity to understand and prepare for any consequences from sharing their story. This includes publication timelines, fact-checking processes, visual needs, explaining the focus of the story and keeping in touch after publication.

1. Expertise. Value and emphasize the expertise these survivors have unfortunately gained from being abused. They're not only experts in their own lives, but also experts in the systems survivors have to navigate. This also looks like sharing a survivor's whole story - the abuse they endured is only one part of their wider experience with the world. The playbook suggests asking about the systems they have had to navigate" and "their culture, work, studies, faith, and anything else that might inform their perspective and aid in their healing."

1. Diversity. Domestic violence impacts all types of people and reporting should reflect that as much as possible. Reporters should audit sources and other domestic violence coverage. The playbook also advises journalists to examine which sexualities, races, ethnicities, languages, abilities, professions, income levels, religions and other identities are or are not represented. And diversity is not just demographics. While domestic violence often includes the criminal justice system, there are also good stories and sources from health care, education and policy.

'Dig into the complexities'

Some of the authors of the playbook recently held a panel discussion to discuss their mission behind this new toolkit.

"We often don't learn about domestic violence until it's reached a tragic stage or become deadly," Debbie Chang, the president and chief executive of Blue Shield of California Foundation, said in her introductory remarks. (Blue Shield of California Foundation funds the project.)

"We learn shocking details, but we don't learn about the context, root causes or solutions. We don't learn about the many moments that happened before the incident that, if addressed, could have prevented the incident from happening in the first place," Chang added.

But domestic violence can be prevented, and good journalism on the topic can help, Chang said.

Domestic violence is "a multi-generational cycle that can be broken," she said.

Angela Kim, a panelist and domestic violence survivor, highlighted the power the news media has to shape the public's understanding of domestic violence.

An example of poor reporting is presenting the abuse as an isolated incident rather than fitting it into the larger context with social issues and power dynamics. And while it's important to cover when a person is killed by an intimate partner, it's just as important to tell the stories of people who survive and explore the nuances of abuse, Kim said.

"Journalists can make it less murky because domestic violence can really thrive in ambiguity," Kim said. "Journalists can really dig into the complexities of domestic violence and report on the entire spectrum of domestic violence."

Resources

• This playbook focuses a lot on trauma-informed reporting practices. Here's a thorough tip sheet on the 101s of trauma reporting.
• Check out this tip sheet on how to report on the lethal combination of firearms and domestic violence.
• The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence has a reporting guide, as does the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
• The Violence Policy Center releases an annual report called When Men Murder Women that analyzes violent crime data by state.
• Victim advocacy organizations and domestic violence shelters are often great resources for understanding what victims face and what resources are available. Shelters are also good sources and will often remain in touch with survivors. And in most cities and states, there are victim advocacy groups for victims of intimate partner violence.