The Guardian reported that a woman in Strasbourg said she was assaulted by three men.
“She was walking home when one of the three exclaimed ‘look at that whore in a skirt, Elisabeth told France Bleu Alsace radio. Two of them then held her while the third hit her in the face, leaving her with a black eye, she told the radio station. The men then fled.”
The alleged perpetrators were erased from the headline about the assault Elisabeth described, and their excuse for their violence was given prominent place.
Nothing a woman wears causes men to assault her.
Nothing a woman does or says causes violence.
The only thing that causes men’s violence against women is men’s choice to be violent.
Violent men often invent excuses to shift blame for their choices onto the women they’ve attacked. Those excuses are bullshit and they have no place in headlines or credible journalism.
Do better.
(If you’re reading this on social media, links are in the OP at www.patreon.com/JaneGilmore )
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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
If you would like to know more about how and why the media’s erasure of men’s violence against women occurs, the Fixed It book is out now!
Buy your copy here or at any good bookstore. Extracts available on why Fixed It started inThe Guardian, rape and other violence myths in The Age/Sydney Morning Herald and the Good Guy trope on my website.
1800 RESPECT
Sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and support.24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ph: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au
Djirra – Aboriginal Family Violence Response & Support Service
9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday
Ph: 1800 105 303
djirra.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ph: 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Kids Helpline
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1800 55 1800
www.kidshelp.com.au
MensLine Australia
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
www.mensline.org.au
Men’s Referral Service
Monday – Friday – 8am-9pm
Weekends – 9am-6pm
Ph: 1300 766 491
www.ntv.org.au/get-help
