On Monday, March 3rd, 2025, Women’s Aid hosted a media conference at the Great Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, unveiling updated guidelines on responsible reporting of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The event brought together media professionals, MLAs and advocates to discuss the role of the media in shaping public understanding of reporting on sensitive topics including domestic abuse, gender-based violence and suicide.
The conference comes against a stark backdrop of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. Between 2017 and October 2024, 42 women and girls died violently across Northern Ireland, with victims ranging in age from 23 months to 83 years old. These figures serve as a devastating reminder of the urgent need for stronger protections, improved legal responses, and responsible media coverage.
Freelance journalist Amanda Ferguson hosted the event, with opening remarks from Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA.
“My department recognises the need for responsible reporting in cases of domestic and sexual abuse and violence,” Naomi stated. “Over the past four years, there has been a greater focus on domestic abuse in the media. I’m very clear that this is a welcome development. If we’re going to effectively tackle domestic abuse, then we need to bring it into the mainstream media discussion and allow people to talk about their own personal experiences.”
Naomi Long also emphasised the importance of trauma-informed reporting, adding: “Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that the messages we’re sending out are sensitive, that they’re victim-focused, and that they are trauma-informed.”
She welcomed the launch of Women’s Aid’s new guidelines: “I completely agree and believe these guidelines will help create a wider understanding of domestic abuse and violence against women within the media industry. We need to change public attitudes so that everyone in society recognises that domestic abuse is wrong and is willing to take a stand against it.”
The 2023/2024 Women’s Aid report highlights the increasing demand for services supporting women, children, and young people affected by domestic abuse across Northern Ireland. Key statistics include:
- 527 women and 291 children stayed in refuges.
- 10,955 referrals were made to Women’s Aid services.
- 266 pregnant women received support.
- 10 babies were born while their mothers were in refug
Speaking at the event, Health Permanent Secretary Peter May emphasised that domestic abuse is not just a personal issue but a widespread public health crisis: “Domestic abuse is not just a private matter. It’s a serious public health issue that affects individuals, families, and entire communities, and its consequences are physically revolutionary.”
His words highlight the need for collaboration between the health sector, justice system, and media to address domestic abuse effectively and ensure survivors receive the support they need.
Women’s Aid also emphasised its partnerships with Comic Relief, Children in Need, and the “See, Hear, Act and Say” social action youth project, which have been vital in funding and expanding outreach efforts.
A central theme of the conference was the media’s responsibility in shaping public attitudes toward domestic abuse and sexual violence. Speaking at the event, Sonya McMullan from Women’s Aid spoke about the profound influence that journalists and media professionals hold: “The media plays a key role in shaping public perception, influencing social attitudes, and ultimately driving change in Northern Ireland.”
However, she also highlighted the responsibility that comes with this power: “This influence does come with great responsibility, especially when it comes to how we report on sensitive and traumatic issues like domestic abuse. Today, as we are here relaunching our Responsible Reporting Matters guidelines, we recognize the critical need for ethical and trauma-informed journalism.”
McMullan’s speech reinforced the importance of holding the media accountable and the need for journalists to approach reporting on domestic abuse with care, accuracy, and survivor-centered perspectives. When journalists are interviewing and reporting the sexual violence cases they should refer back to the IPSO Code and have extended knowledge on the victims right to lifelong anonymity, where its only appropriate to use the victims name when written consent is given.
Advice given to Journalists at the media conference was they should ask individual who has experience any form of sexual violence, they want to be labelled as a victim or survivor.
The first panel discussion, “Responsible Reporting on Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women,” featured:
Allison Morris (Belfast Telegraph), Kathryn Torney (Freelance Journalist), Kelly Andrews (Belfast Women’s Aid) and Detective Superintendent Lindsay Fisher (PSNI). The panel emphasized the responsibilities of journalists when covering domestic abuse cases, particularly the need to avoid victim-blaming language, ensure survivor confidentiality, and report with accuracy and sensitivity.
Frank Mullane, from AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse), delivered a powerful session on the media’s role in reporting domestic homicides and suicides linked to domestic abuse. He warned against sensationalized reporting, stressing that poorly handled coverage can cause further harm to families and survivors.
The afternoon session opened with reflections from Dr. Jayne Brady, Head of the Civil Service, who highlighted the importance of survivor-led narratives in shaping policy and public attitudes.
The second panel discussion, “The Impact of Media in Working with Survivors – Lessons, Challenges, and Learning,” featured insights from Eve Rosato and Mandy McAuley (BBC), Sarah Clarke (UTV), and Eileen Murphy (Armagh Down Women’s Aid). The panel explored the complex relationship between survivors and the media, emphasizing the need for ethical reporting and the importance of survivor-led narratives.
The third panel, “Engagement Through PR, Production, and Communications,” examined the role of media professionals in shaping public discourse. Panelists included Teresa Parker (Media Consultant), Una Murphy (NUJ), Noelle Collins (Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid), and Shona Jago (JAGO Communications). They discussed strategic communication, ethical storytelling, and the responsibility of PR professionals and journalists in ensuring accurate and trauma-informed coverage of domestic abuse.
The conference concluded with an open discussion, allowing attendees to engage directly with panelists and speakers, fostering a collaborative dialogue on responsible journalism.
Naomi Long spoke about the importance of survivor-centered storytelling in her speech, stating: “It’s important that every victim thinks that when they speak out, their story will be handled with care, that they won’t be diminished by talking about their experiences, and that they will be respected.”
The Women’s Aid media conference reinforced the critical role of the media in shaping public perceptions of domestic abuse and violence against women. As the updated Responsible Reporting guidelines are relaunched, there is hope that journalists and media professionals will continue to embrace their duty to report with sensitivity, accuracy, and respect, ensuring that survivor voices remain at the heart of the conversation.
For information on accessing support services please visit: womensaidni.org
Photography by Argyll Images Photography