The Western Advocate reported that a man with previous convictions for “knife related offences” assaulted his teenage daughter, threw a vacuum cleaner at her, slapped her, used a tomahawk to try break into the room she was hiding in, and threatened to kill her if she was on the phone to police.
I’m not entirely sure what a “chicken schnitzel meltdown” is. Maybe something to do with cheese? But whatever it is, it’s definitely not a serious assault on your teenage daughter.
He didn’t “meltdown”, he chose to violently intimidate his daughter, a person who should be able to depend on him for love and protection. A headline like this grossly misrepresents domestic abuse and the truly terrifying experience suffered by a young girl. It’s an abhorrent insult to her and all the thousands of other women and girls who have been subjected to domestic abuse.
Asinine headlines like this make it very difficult to defend the genuinely disturbing loss of regional newspapers.
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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
