Reporting domestic violence responsibly

The Government and Australia’s media sector have today reaffirmed their commitment to the responsible reporting of domestic violence in the media.

The Minister for Communications and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women participated in a roundtable discussion with media practitioners from all sectors about the need to report domestic violence issues responsibly and avoid trivialising or sensationalising them.

The roundtable also heard from Ms Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year, and Mr Ken Lay, Chair of the COAG Advisory Panel on reducing violence against women and their children.

Through Our Watch the Government has funded the development of guidelines to assist the media to report domestic violence issues to the community.

Media sectors have discribed to both Ministers how they will apply the guidelines within their membership.

If you or someone you know is at risk of or has experienced physical or sexual violence, you can call the free 24 hour national counselling service on 1800 RESPECT.

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