Washington Post Launches Pro-VAWA Campaign - Sunday

A follow-up report on the Washington Post's pro-VAWA series, with links and actions to take. Please click "Read more..." for more.

NEWS FLASH

On Sunday, December 19, the Washington Post features a 3-page article titled "Many New or Expectant Mothers Die Violent Deaths". The article probes the deaths of mothers due to domestic violence. Sadly, the Washington Post continues its pattern of ignoring male victims of domestic violence.

WHAT THE WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE SAYS

The Washington Post reports on the issue of domestic violence against pregnant and new mothers. The WP reporter, Donna St. George, surveyed all state health departments and interviewed the victims' family members.

Ms. St. George concludes that 295 new or expectant mothers die from homicides each year, and that 70% of these deaths were caused by boyfriends or husbands. So the Washington Post analysis indicates that 207 maternal deaths each year are the result of domestic violence.

WHERE THE ARTICLE GOES WRONG

According to the latest report from the Department of Justice, 510 men are killed each year by their wives and girlfriends (see Table 1 on p. 2 of linked document). This number represents 28% of all persons killed due to partner violence.

But that critical fact is never mentioned in the Washington Post article.

The Post article is designed to appeal to the reader's emotions. Much of the story provides graphic details of the deaths. It features the names and color photographs of 24 female victims. The article features alarmist commentaries by domestic violence experts and emotional headlines such as, "Researchers Stunned by Scope of Slayings."

The article is designed to arouse women’s sense of fear and vulnerability. The essay does not provide anything that resembles an objective or balanced discussion of an important social problem.

A PATTERN OF BIAS AND NEGLECT

Each year, 510 men and 207 mothers die as a result of domestic violence.

It is good that the Washington Post has highlighted the tragedy of 207 mothers killed by domestic violence. As the article sadly notes, “Their killings produced a few local headlines, then faded, a seeming aberration in the community where it happened.”

But what about the 510 men?

The Washington Post has never published a three-page article on men killed by their wives or girlfriends. The Post has never surveyed health departments or interviewed their grief-stricken family members to piece together their stories. The Post has never printed their pictures. Their killings have never produced front-page headlines in the Washington Post.

These male victims remain neglected and invisible.

At the Washington Post, it's not just that the lives of men count for less. It's that the lives of men killed by their wives and girlfriends simply don't count.

A PRINCIPLED RESPONSE IS CALLED FOR

The voices of men killed by domestic violence are now silent. But we need to speak out:

1. Letters to the Editor: letters@washpost.com

The Washington Post

1150 15th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20071

(Include your name, address, and daytime telephone number)

2. Donna St. George

E-mail: stgeorgedr@washpost.com

3. Washington Post Ombudsman:

Michael Getler

E-mail: ombudsman@washpost.com

Telephone: 202-334-7582

NOTICE: This story was migrated from the old software that used to run Mensactivism.org. Unfortunately, user comments did not get included in the migration. However, you may view a copy of the original story, with comments, at the following link:

http://news.mensactivism.org/articles/04/12/19/1812223.shtml