The Townsville Bulletin again, with another report on an alleged domestic violence incident and another man erased from the headline.
The man has not been tried but he has been arrested, his name does not have to be in the headline but his existence does.
Headlines are meant to give a precis of the story and this story is not only about what was allegedly done to this woman, it is also about who did it. Hiding the perpetrators of violence from public view and displaying only the victim is doing a great disservice to the victim and the public we are supposed to be informing.
The article itself is accurate reporting of allegations made by the victim and by police:
“Inspector Damian Irvine said police would allege a 30-year-old man came to the woman’s Paskin St house uninvited and forced his way into her home.
The man then allegedly punched her on the nose and mouth, strangled her and held her against her will.”
It also added context with a quote from a local police Inspector about the extent of domestic violence in the area and the juxtaposition of White Ribbon Day pledges occurring on the same weekend:
“Hundreds of high-profile men throughout Australia pledged to eradicate domestic violence and then the weekend ticks over and we see it time and time again, more and more domestic violence assaults in this area and the rest of Queensland,” Insp Irvine said.
It’s a shame an otherwise well written article was headlined so badly.
FixedIt is an ongoing project to push back against the media’s constant erasure of violent men and blaming of innocent victims. If you would like to help fund it – even $5 a month makes a big difference – please consider becoming a Patron
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