Reporting as a tool to prevent violence against women                  

There are many good reasons to use the media to prevent violence against women.

Violence against women exists because there are still unequal power relations between women and men, sex discrimination and gender stereotyping. Violence cannot be effectively prevented unless these underlying factors are addressed. Violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights that cannot be allowed to continue. Research shows the profound and long-term toll it takes on women’s health, on families and communities, and on society in general. The economic costs of criminal justice and service responses to the violence, and of health care and lost productivity, are also staggering.

The media have the resources and reach to highlight the problem that is so often hidden from view. Good quality reporting challenges misinformation and damaging stereotypes that tolerate or excuse violence against women. The more awareness there is of this issue, the greater chance we have of reducing the terrible human toll.

Winners of the EVAs Media Awards are professionals dedicated to fair, accurate and informed reporting. From opinion pieces to documentary series, they recognise the influence media has on building community interest, awareness and action to eliminate violence against women.

Definitions of Violence Against Women

‘Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or  suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.’
United Nation’s Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 1993

Violence against women can be both criminal and non-criminal in nature and it is, in the main, behaviour intended to exercise power and control over women.

While there is a range of violent behaviours perpetrated against women, family violence and sexual assault are the most common forms of violence experienced by women in Victoria.

Family Violence is defined in the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 as behaviour that is physically or sexually abusive, emotionally or psychologically abusive, threatening or coercive, or in any other way controls or dominates the family member and causes that family member to fear for his or her safety or wellbeing or for the safety or wellbeing of another person.

Sexual Assault is any unwanted sexual behaviour that causes humiliation, pain, fear or intimidation. It includes behaviour that does not involve actual touching, such as verbal sexual harassment.

Many other resources are available to access information on violence against women. These can be accessed via the Resources section on this website.

EVAs Journalists are those who:

• Challenge stereotypes about violence against women.
• Describe the effects of violence against women including its effects on the community as a whole.
• Reflect on the impact of unequal distribution of power and resources between men and women.
• Draw attention to the relationship between community attitudes and violence against women.
• Explore key social and economic determinants of violence against women such as gender roles and relations, and social norms and practices relating to violence against women.
• Draw on current research on violence against women.
• Give voice to the experience of victim/survivors of violence against women.
• Provide information about resources and services available to those who are affected by violence against women.
• Encourage men to take responsibility for their use of violent or abusive behaviour and the prevention of violence against women.
• Provide information about how friends and family can support those affected by violence against women.
• Raise awareness of successes of community projects that seek to reduce violence against women.
• Promote gender equality and respectful relationships.

* See Judging Criteria page for full details of entry criteria and requirements.

For key statistics, contacts and reporting advice see our Reporting Guidelines for Journalists.