Finding a Balance Between Too Much & Not Enough

Natalie Matesic
nm989014@ohio.edu

Reporting about sexual assault can be a touchy subject, but is it better to cover up something uncomfortable, or speak up to potentially inspire or save other people? Journalists' number one priority should be to report the truth, whether that truth is painful or not. Women everywhere have spoken out and built the #MeToo movement over social media. Journalists have a duty to report on this subject, but how should they go about doing that?

Sexual assault and sharing the stories that victims have so bravely told is so important in keeping the movement and the message alive. But how much information is too much information? Is reporting about a victim's story ethical when we only have one side of the story? A wrongful accusation is a factor, as well as respect for the victim's personal information. So how does one report on such a subject?

The Me Too Movement has been a monumental step in the right direction by giving victims a voice while taking the power away from attackers. Victims of sexual assault are able to connect with other survivors in a safe environment and do it in a space where having the courage to speak your truth is commended. With the importance of this movement, though, comes great responsibility in reporting it correctly and effectively. This includes being respectful of the victim's name and privacy, as well as the explicit details of their story.

Where to Start
NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center) created a tip-list on how journalists should go about writing on sexual assault. They touch on tactics such as discussing prevention, the effects of sexual assault, providing a call to action, and talking about survivors in a diverse way.

What I found the most interesting is the discussion of "the right way to write about rape." In this, an activist and advocate surveyed hundreds of articles to show good examples to journalists about the best way to write about rape, and she could only find two. “And they weren’t even stories about rape, they were stories about covering rape." This is a problem because if a victim is asked to share their story to be covered, the tone shouldn't change and their story shouldn't be softened. The final product should be a reflection of the tone set at the interview.

She talks about the importance of protecting the victim's privacy, as well as the perpetrator's if they have not been convicted yet. She also talks about writing with truth, integrity, and respect. This includes not bringing your personal experiences into the conversation, as a victim's stories might never be related to. One interesting point brought up is the word usage. Being careful with word usage.

Me Too Survivors' March: Hollywood, California. November 2017. (Mashable.com).

"Commonly used verbs such as “alleged,” “admits,” and “confesses” insert shame and uncertainty into quotes." Instead of using these words that can create confusion and shame, she says to use the word "said" instead. Being careful and aware of covering their story with respect is the most important aspect of reporting about a sexual assault victim correctly and effectively.