Katherine Berney, the Director of the National Women’s Safety Alliance, shares this piece looking at the media coverage of Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins’ death as well as the attitudes to gendered violence in Australia going into a new year.
I’m sitting on the Victorian coast listening to bird song at the start of the day- it’s January 2, I read this news headline and my head hurts: “Horrifying new details of Olympian Melissa Hoskins’ death emerge”.
The photos accompanying the article on Melissa’s horrendous death are mainly of Melissa and her husband who is arrested due to his alleged role in her death.
Newspapers have mentioned no less than 15 times across coverage they lived in a “luxurious” suburb. The local paper even went as far as to outline their retirement plans of potentially opening a winery. I’m sure her parents must love to see that.
The subtext of all of this of course is to say “this is a complete aberration, this is a nice guy, an OLYMPIAN no less, we need the whole story. This should never have happened”. I really had hoped we’d moved past this lazy narrative in the media- we certainly need to.
I agree- it should never have happened. There is a shattered family, community and most importantly two children now without a mother. Where they lived and what careers they had has zero bearing on the “chance of being a victim”.
This story is awful, and it’s a story that rings true for the 64 families and communities that have been impacted by the alleged murders of women in 2023.
I had journalists contact me over the break looking for comment on the alleged murder on Christmas day on cable beach- they wanted a solution of “how this can and must be stopped.” I understand their shock and anguish. I wish I could provide simple advice to stop women being murdered. Two women (that we know of) brutally lost their lives between Christmas and new year. Two men known to them are arrested for their alleged murder.
And whilst I can’t speculate of the exact events that took place in the lead up to the alleged murders, I can unequivocally say that both women deserved more.
This is not a new conversation. Last year, white ribbon documented 48,000 articles specifically published about violence against women.
I, and many others before me, have been clear- there isn’t going to be a linear solution. Violence is a process, not an event. We have to treat the symptoms to prevent the outcomes.
In the week between Christmas and new years, every year the data shows us frontline service demand surges. There can be expectations and heightened emotions around the holidays; we are in a cost of living crisis and alcohol and other drug usage can exacerbate violence- it’s the perfect pressure cooker.
Thousands of women and children everyday in Australia flee violence. They then are funnelled into an imperfect system that often has them make an impossible choice between poverty and safety.
2024 will be different, because it has to be. Change is not impossible, but it will take a concerted effort across all of society.
I don’t want to spend the next year reading and writing anguished words about the murders of women.
I want to see leadership and innovation in how we look at community attitudes and gender equality. I want better media standards that insist publications do more than telling us all about the “good guy who snapped”.
Moreover, I encourage anyone who wants change to be involved- there is no contribution that can be considered too big or too small and we need all of them.
I look forward to working with you.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency, call 000.