As part of the international information campaign “16 Days Against Violence,” Women in Media, together with the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine, held a webinar titled “Break the Circle: How to Cover the Topic of Domestic Violence Without Stereotypes.”
Around 150 participants from various regions of Ukraine and diverse media outlets attended the online training. During the event, experts highlighted the significance of addressing domestic violence and provided recommendations for its ethical coverage. Special emphasis was placed on avoiding harm to survivors through media publications.
Relevance of the topic
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Kateryna Pavlichenko, presented statistics that highlight the urgency of the issue.
Domestic violence statistics in Ukraine for the first 10 months of 2024:
- 5% of all reports to the National Police are related to domestic violence, compared to only 3% for road accidents without casualties.
- A total of 130,000 reports of administrative offenses related to domestic violence were recorded.
- The police issued 98,000 urgent restraining orders.
- The National Police have registered 112,000 people for committing domestic violence.
- In Ukraine, 61 mobile specialized police units operate to prevent and combat domestic violence.
Kateryna Pavlichenko reminded that, on December 19 of this year, a new law in Ukraine will come into force, strengthening the penalties for domestic violence. In particular, the maximum term of administrative detention for offenders will be extended from 3 to 12 hours. The law also stipulates that children must be recognized as survivors if violence occurs in their presence.
Kateryna Borozdina, Vice President of La Strada-Ukraine NGO, noted that the cases of domestic violence that become known are just the tip of the iceberg, with the vast majority remaining unreported. The reasons may include poor communication, inadequate responses, victim-blaming, stereotypes, etc. Stereotypes eventually become prejudices, which then lead to discrimination and, ultimately, violence.
The expert highlighted the different types of violence: physical, economic, psychological, and sexual. These are often combined, though psychological violence can sometimes occur on its own. Kateryna Borozdina emphasized that the offender is responsible for any violent action, and there can be no justification for violence, even in the context of serving in the army or defending the homeland.
In the first nine months of 2024, the La Strada-Ukraine hotline received 32,500 calls, with 90-92% of them related to domestic violence.
Kateryna Borozdina emphasized that violence is cyclical. If the abuser has committed violence once and felt impunity, it is likely to happen again in most cases.
How to write
Liza Kuzmenko, head of Women in Media and a member of the Commission on Journalistic Ethics, provided tips for ethically covering the topic of domestic violence:
- do not refer to people who have experienced violence as victims (victims should refer only to those who are no longer alive); it is more appropriate to use terms such as “survivors” or “people who have suffered from violence”;
- it is unacceptable to use derogatory language such as “she deserved that,” “she was wearing the wrong clothes,” or “she went to the forest alone”;
- don’t call the abuser a “monster” or other mysterious names. This creates a false impression that it is not a conditional neighbor who committed violence, but some fictional creature;
- do not go into excessive details of the crime and the emotions of the survivor;
- at the end of the material, provide contact information for hotlines and shelters where people can seek help;
- use the Nadia Murad Code;
- view individuals experiencing domestic violence as people, not as victims;
- coordinate texts and photos, and be prepared for the possibility of publication refusal;
- look for new angles to approach the material.
Nastia Ivantsiv, a journalist from Suspilne shared her experience of covering sensitive topics. She emphasized the importance of avoiding judgment or evaluations and being mindful of each story. Protecting characters’ anonymity is crucial, not only in terms of names but also regarding the description of locations or details of family life. Nastia Ivantsiv pointed out that it is unnecessary to highlight whether the abuser is a military officer, police officer, or prosecutor unless they use their position to exert pressure on the survivors Furthermore, experts should avoid commenting on the story itself and instead provide a deeper explanation of the issue. It is also essential to be mindful of vocabulary and to clarify terms for the audience, as what may seem obvious to a journalist may not be so to readers.
Who controls
Oleksandr Burmahin, a member of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting, reminded that the media reform introduced three levels of regulation:
- regulation, i.e., the enforcement of the law (in cases of serious violations, such as discrimination);
- co-regulation (stereotyping, victimization, hate speech);
- self-regulation.
Now, the National Council addresses complaints about violations. However, mechanisms are being developed to monitor the online space and track cases of discrimination and hate speech.
For self-regulation, a gender policy should be adopted at the editorial level and followed when covering sensitive topics and content in general, as Liza Kuzmenko noted. Olha Prokopenko, Media Project Officer of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, also emphasized the importance of this document, a standard version of which was developed in cooperation with the OSCE.
Benefits
After the webinar, participants shared their impressions. Iryna Kyrychuk, a journalist “Suspilne.Rivne”, noted that the webinar impressed her with its depth and professional approach to complex and sensitive topics. The speakers provided clear and accessible tools for accurately covering the subject, emphasizing ethics, empathy, and the fight against stereotypes.
“Particularly helpful were the tips on using language that does not stigmatize survivors, as well as the emphasis on identifying the systemic causes of violence rather than individualizing the problem. Speakers explained how to avoid clichés and romanticizing situations of violence in the media. The webinar has inspired and become a valuable resource for both journalists and anyone who wants to speak clearly, responsibly, and constructively about domestic violence. This is an important step toward creating a public consciousness free from prejudice,” shared the journalist.
Ivan Diakonov, editor of Ukrainska Pravda, noted that domestic violence is a persistent pain that is always there, often silenced or spoken about incorrectly. This event helped highlight the depth of the problem and highlighted the crucial role journalists play in shaping the correct public perception of this issue.
“The webinar impressed me with its sensitivity to the topic. It wasn’t a dry lecture — it was a dialogue where each viewer could find answers to their questions. I now have not only new knowledge but also a sense of responsibility. As a journalist, I realize that even one article or story can be a step toward change — toward support and salvation. This webinar not only provided knowledge and tools for working with sensitive topics, but it also inspired me to work with purpose, fight for truth, and uphold humanity. I am grateful to the organizers for this invaluable experience,” Ivan said.
Theresa Chorbacher, Project Officer at UNESCO working on the Safety of Journalists and Freedom of Expression in Ukraine, noted that the media has a significant impact on public perception and social norms. By prioritizing gender-sensitive and ethical journalism, we not only improve the quality of content but also make a meaningful contribution to a more equal and fair society.
Let us remind you that on November 25, the global campaign “16 Days Against Violence” began. Held annually in Ukraine, it will run until December 10 inclusive. The main goal of the campaign is to raise public awareness of issues such as overcoming domestic violence, gender-based violence, child abuse, and combating human trafficking.
You can read more about self-regulation here and learn about the experience of implementing gender policy here.
This webinar was conducted by Women in Media NGO as part of the project in partnership with UNESCO and with the support of Japan. The authors are responsible for selecting and presenting the facts shared in this webinar. The views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of UNESCO or Japan.