Book 2 - Ebu

Learning Resource Kit: Book 2
6. Do not contribute to sexist views: Do not suggest, in any way, that the survivor
was to blame, or give advice that curtails a woman’s activities, dress or behaviour.
Avoid the use of dramatic language, such as “defenceless”, “lured” and “subjected
to a fate worse than death”, as these pander to stereotypes about women as, for
instance, gullible. Do not make judgements based on the woman’s response or
level of recovery. It is important to show that women can recover and there is no
such thing as a “normal” reaction to an abnormal situation. Respect the diversity
of women.
7. Tell the whole story, but do not be gratuitous: Do not glorify the gory details. It
is important to place the event in context, both in terms of the community or
location, and for the woman. Present women as whole human beings, who had a
life before, and are having a life after the event.
8. Make the perpetrator visible: Too often the perpetrator is absent or relatively
invisible. Women do not get themselves raped. Also, mainstream media refer
to rapists or attackers as “monsters” or “maniacs”, which suggests that they are
visibly different from other men, when this is patently untrue. Another area
where the perpetrator is often excused, or the attack minimised, is in cases of
domestic abuse.
9. Rape in War: This is one of the most difficult areas to cover as a journalist. It
often goes unreported due to fear of further attacks, it is almost always difficult
to verify, and the sheer brutality of this particular “weapon of war” has been
reported to cause traumatic reactions in journalists covering it. Be sensitive to
language, allowing interviewees to lead your choice of terminology. Be wary if
armed officials or others want to sit in on the interview, they may be possible
collaborators or know the attackers, but do not be confrontational as this can
impact the safety of the people you are interviewing.
10. Whenever possible, provide information on the organisations sexual violence
survivors can turn to for help and support.
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