Domestic Violence Awareness Month
*Trigger/content warning: murder*
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was first recognized back in October of 1987. Circa 1981, the month of awareness was merely a day dubbed “Day of Unity”. This grew to a week of awareness, and eventually to what we know today as DVAM, an entire month of bringing awareness to the issues surrounding domestic violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). What exactly are we aware of this month? Perhaps as important, who are we aware of?
Last month in September, the country was made aware of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old cisgender, white woman who went missing in Wyoming. It is strongly suspected that her boyfriend/abuser murdered her and went on the run (CNN timeline). At the time of writing this blog post, he has still not been found. As all who endure the hardship of domestic violence deserve, Gabby’s case has had national, perhaps even international recognition. We’ve been inundated with reruns of police body camera footage and discussions on the impacts of and risks associated with abuse. Media plays a large role in how this country and our society views issues such as domestic violence.
Media also plays a role in who is centered in conversations about domestic violence and its effects on different populations. Mentioning that Gabby is cisgender and white is purposeful, as we see the media ignore cries from those who are abused, families of those who are missing, and the grievers of murdered individuals of all genders and races, but especially those who hold marginalized identities. According to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) via the Los Angeles PD, over 3 million reports of incidents of domestic violence are filed every year in the United States.
And those are just the reported cases, realistically there are many, many more. A report from the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic Violence states that Black women experience intimate partner violence at 35% higher the rate than their white peers, 37.5% of Indigenous women experience intimate partner violence at some point in their life, and other global majority groups show similar statistics. When you add other marginalized identities such as being a member of the LGBTQ+ community or being disabled or both, those numbers are even higher. Where are their stories?
Think back to any domestic violence related news report or piece of media you’ve seen, including Gabby’s. Has it been about the victim? Does it center on the abuser or the abuse? Is there victim blaming involved or a debate initiated on who abused who? Are there calls for the masses to combat systemic misogyny and domestic violence? Is the offender called in by their community to evaluate and mitigate the harm they have caused? Whose voices are being uplifted and prioritized?
Media is responsible for what is shared with the public in any regard, and it is their responsibility to tell the stories of victims/survivors accurately and to spread helpful, not harmful, information. Here is a short list on what I believe any type of media should consider when reporting on situations involving domestic violence and awareness of such issues:
Analyze whose story is being told and who is telling it: the victim, the offender, their families, experts on trauma? White, cisgender victims only?
Shift responsibility to the perpetrator of violence; quell desires to victim-blame
Evaluate where violence stems: systemic misogyny, rape culture, victim-blaming, American exceptionalism, white supremacy, history of colonization and imperialism, etc.
Educate accurately on topics typically misunderstood such as reactive abuse/self-defensive actions, gaslighting and emotional abuse, red flags, etc.
Honestly report on how systems fall short for victims: police and law, schools violating Title IX by sweeping reports under the rug, lack of access to trauma-responsive care or care at all after abuse, general lack of community-based intervention and help for both victims and perpetrators
Restorative practices and community accountability for perpetrators of harm
Where to find help, resources, community, and care after experiencing abuse (like Mutual Ground!)
While there is so much more to take into consideration, these are a good place to start. This is a call to action for any and all media during DVAM and always: do your duty in reporting the realities of our communities and their experiences with domestic violence. Center marginalized voices and their stories. Suspend judgement and embrace truth.
Written by
Shae Hunt, MSW
Therapist at Mutual Ground
Mutual Ground 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 630.897.0080