See what I did there? I used the passive voice in a headline about using the passive voice in headlines. Hilarious! Or it would be if this wasn’t such a persistent trick to erase men’s violence and their responsibility for the choices they make.
This one from the Newcastle Herald is certainly from the worst I’ve ever seen, but I wonder how bad it feels for the woman who was “held against her will”.
I’ve can’t count all the posts I’ve written about passive voice headlines. The most recent one was a pretty good explainer about the difference between passive and active voice and how it’s used to blame victims and erase perpetrators. It’s in the post about the “Blue Mountains rape” (the Blue Mountains were not raped, a girl was raped) which you can find on my feed or my website.
_
If you’re reading this on social media, links to all the articles are on the post on my website: www.JaneGilmore.com
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
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
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
Men’s Referral Service
Support for men who use violence and abuse.
7 days a week
Ph: 1300 766 491
https://ntv.org.au/get-help/
