Today the Daily Mercury ran a story about a man who pled guilty to “two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm (one marked as a domestic violence offence), entering a dwelling by break and committing violence, and choking or suffocation, which was also listed by the court as a domestic violence offence”.
Not only does the headline not even mention the serious assault and domestic violence, it’s also just factually incorrect. He didn’t “come home”, he kicked in the door of someone else’s home.
Before anyone even started reading the article, assuming they actually got that far, they were primed to sympathise with the perpetrator and blame the victim. The picture presented by the headline is that this poor innocent chap got home and found his mate and his girlfriend naked in his own home.
The truth, that kicked in the door and deliberately subjected two innocent people to a brutal and potentially deadly attack. The context missing from the article is that relationship breakdown is the most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence and choking is a serious indication of escalating violence.
This is an outstanding example of how NOT to report on male violence.
UPDATE:
After this pose hit social media, The Daily Mercury changed their headline. And again spectacularly failed to get the point. The victim’s actions are not the story, nothing they did caused or excuses the assault.
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
MensLine Australia
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
www.mensline.org.au
Child Wise National Abuse Helpline
Mon-Fri: 9 am – 5 pm
Ph: 1800 99 10 99
www.childwise.org.au
