Analysis of reporting of family violence reporting in print media in regional Western Australia.

OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to gain insights into the reporting of family violence (FV) and to explore any changes in FV reporting associated with a FV primary prevention initiative in Geraldton, Western Australia. METHODS: An in-depth analysis of articles published by the Geraldton Guardian in 2019 examined the nature of FV reporting. Analysis was based on deductive coding from existing literature and inductive identification of new themes. A comparative analysis examined articles from the Geraldton Guardian and Albany Advertiser over the same three-month period in 2015, 2017 and 2019 to analyse trends in FV reporting. RESULTS: Of 135 articles analysed, there was alignment with five previously reported themes and two new themes were identified: FV as a public health issue; and community responses to reduce FV. Episodic framing was overwhelmingly associated with court reporting. There was more reporting of efforts at primary prevention of FV over time in both newspapers. CONCLUSIONS: Local media can contribute to the promotion of community and public health issues related to FV. Efforts are needed to improve court reporting to situate FV in a broader context. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Concerted efforts to educate the public and journalists can support FV being recognised as a public health issue.

Men Against Violence: Engaging men and boys in prevention of family violence.

ISSUES ADDRESSED: Discussion of family violence is important but many men and boys struggle to engage with the topic. Primary prevention approaches focus on communicating with and educating the population, including men and boys, in the areas of healthy relationships, gender and violence. There can be both barriers to and also gains from these interventions. This paper describes a project implemented in Geraldton, Western Australia, and discusses what has been effective and ineffective during the project. METHODS: The 'Men Against Violence' project targeted men and boys through local sporting clubs in the City of Greater Geraldton, in the Midwest region of Western Australia, through the use of face to face education, community radio and television interviews and other appropriate engagement strategies. 'Men Against Violence' events were held to connect with local male community members and address the role men can have in family violence prevention. RESULTS: We describe the three key engagement activities, working with the local Australian Rules football league, state-league basketball team and a local high school Aboriginal football academy. These strategies provided avenues for contact with and the education of men and boys aged 12 years and older. CONCLUSION: Through successful partnerships with a number of local organisations, the 'Men Against Violence' project saw a high level of engagement with local men. The project also gained strong community support, with pockets of resistance encountered and managed. SO WHAT: The 'Men Against Violence' project experienced highlights and barriers throughout the pilot project that can guide and inform future family violence prevention programs.