Tip 1: Name It

Situating an incident in the context of relationship abuse or intimate partner violence (IPV) is crucial in illustrating such violence as a social problem and not a private problem.

Refer to a relationship abuse-related homicide as an act of intimate partner violence instead of calling it a homicide or murder.

Ex. “In an act of intimate partner violence, John Smith killed his wife” instead of “John Smith killed his wife.”

Additionally, it is crucial to name the white supremacy, racism, and misogyny of the people choosing to commit relationship abuse,  sexual violence, and racialized violence.

Ex. “There has been an increase of racist and misogynist people committing violence against Asian American women” instead of “There has been a rise in violence against Asian American women.”


Tip 2: Include Contextual Details


Ex. Local: “the incident marks the fifth relationship abuse call Palo Alto police have responded to this month.”


Ex. National: “According to the U.S. Department of Justice, men will rape or commit intimate partner violence against one in four women.”

Tip 3: Include Resources


Provide the number of a local relationship abuse and/or sexual violence hotline or shelter for those who need assistance or who want to help a friend

Provide a link to a relationship abuse and sexual violence prevention agency for those who want to learn more


Tip 4: Avoid Victim Blaming Statements and Frames

Avoid using passive voice to describe relationship abuse and sexual violence

Ex. Instead of “the victim was attacked by their partner,” write “the victim’s partner attacked them”

Exercise discretion in using terms such as “allegedly”


Ex. Instead of “the victim was allegedly attacked by her partner,” write “the victim told police her partner attacked her”


Descriptions of a victim’s appearance or sexual history are often included in sexual violence stories inappropriately. Commenting that a victim was “wearing a short skirt” or “seen dancing provocatively with the accused” blames the victim for the perpetrator’s actions.


Be careful that you do not use language that inadvertently blames the perpetrator’s choice to commit violence on a survivor’s gender identity.


Tip 5: Acknowledge Gender

Relationship abuse and sexual assault are gendered issues.

Acknowledge that the majority of relationship abuse and sexual assault is committed by men against womxn. It is impossible to get to the root cause of the problem without maintaining a gendered analysis.

Acknowledging the gendered nature of these crimes does not minimize abuse experienced in LGBTQI+ relationships. Relationship abuse and sexual violence remain gendered issues within the LGBTQI+ community; gender is implicated in the construction of heterosexism and homophobia, which both contribute to abuse and act as barriers to survivors seeking help.

Gender inclusive language is more effective than gender neutral language. Gender neutrality is an important concept for service delivery (i.e. asking “has your partner hit you?” on a hotline). However, in the analysis of relationship abuse and sexual violence, a gendered analysis allows readers to identify and address the power dynamic in patriarchal society, and discuss topics such as toxic masculinity.

It is crucial to respect a survivors gender identity; always conduct research to confirm that you are using a survivor’s correct pronouns.

Provide context for how rape culture, toxic masculinity, and discrimination contribute to abusers feeling empowered to commit gender based violence against womxn, transgender, nonbinary, and genderqueer people.

Media coverage often includes information/statistics on how many womxn were raped or abused, without noting how many men raped or abused them. Include information on perpetrators as well.

Violence perpetrated by boys is often referred to by the media as “youth violence” while violence perpetrated by girls and gender-expansive youth is referred to as “girls’ violence.” Avoid these biases, name men’s violence against womxn and gender-based violence.


Ex. When we say “violence against women” we continue to try to figure out what is wrong with the women. When we say “men’s violence against womxn,”  or “violence committed by someone in an LGBTQI+ relationship” we start to look at specifically what has the perpetrator done to the survivor.

This sort of reframing is important when it comes to statistics about relationship abuse and sexual violence.

  • Avoid writing this: “80% of transgender respondents stated that they had experienced emotionally, sexually, or physically abusive behavior by a partner or ex-partner.” (Scottish Transgender Alliance, 2o10)
  • Start writing this: “Partners, or ex-partners, have committed emotional, sexual, or physical abuse against 80% of transgender respondents.” (Scottish Transgender Alliance, 2010)

Tip 6: Challenge Stereotypes

Become familiar with and avoid stereotypes.





Do not use quotes that perpetuate stereotypes.


See Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Tip 7: Anticipate & respond to questions in coverage such as “Why didn’t they leave?”

Recognize and explain that asking, “Why didn’t they leave?” places responsibility on the victim/survivor when the perpetrator should be held accountable for abuse instead. Explain that leaving is often the most dangerous time.

Become familiar with barriers to leaving abusive relationships. These include:

Fear of retaliation/death

Lack of housing, child care, employment opportunities, support from friends/family, or legal resources

Immigration status


See Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Tip 8: Ask Different Questions


Did the perpetrator have a history of abusive behavior?


Why is rape culture so accepted in our society?

Tip 9: Include a Range of Sources

Seek sources beyond law enforcement and neighbors

Anti-intimate partner violence advocates are legitimate sources that can supplement and balance comments from law enforcement and criminal justice sources

If a quote or statement is confusing or unclear, ask an anti-intimate partner violence expert to clarify

Tip 10: Report Consequences of Relationship Abuse and Sexual Violence

Follow up on the consequences for the perpetrator


Note if there is racial discrimination in the implementation of justice


Tip 11: Collaborate with Other Editors/Reporters


Create a listserv for media professionals and share resources, statistics, suggestions, etc.


Resources for Media Professionals

“Distracted by Drama: How California Newspapers Portray Intimate Partner Violence”
Berkeley Media Studies Group, 2003.

“Covering Domestic Violence: A Guide for Journalists and Other Media Professionals”
Kelly Starr, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2008.

News Coverage of Violence Against Women: Engendering Blame
Marian Meyers, Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 1997.

“Reporting on Violence: New Ideas for Television, Print and Web”
Jane Ellen Stevens and Lori Dorfman, Berkeley Media Studies Group, 2001.

Media Literacy
