On this page
Your safety and wellbeing
Improved reporting on violence against women is vital to creating change. It also raises important safety and wellbeing concerns for the journalists and editors involved.
Your safety
Some journalists with high-profile roles reporting on violence against women experience backlash, including threats and online trolling, as well as physical violence. This video looks at increasing safety for journalists who report on violence against women.
Vicarious trauma
Journalists who are routinely exposed to stories of violence and abuse may experience vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma is the cumulative effect of working with trauma, which can affect many aspects of a person’s life. It may consist of short-term reactions, or longer-term effects that continue long after the work has finished.
The video below has advice for dealing with vicarious trauma.
Resources about safety, stress and trauma for journalists
This tip sheet from the Global Centre for Journalism and Trauma provides advice for managing stress and trauma on investigative projects.
GenVic has designed the guide called Don’t Read the Comments: Enhancing Online Safety for Women Working in the Media to assist media companies to protect their journalists, particularly women journalists, from online hate.
Finally, 1800RESPECT offers help to learn how to recognise, prevent and manage work-induced stress and trauma.
Related
2 minute read
The media can challenge gender inequality and disrespect towards women in its reporting and as an industry.
6 minute read
Survivors play a critical role in the change needed to end violence against women and their children.