Everyday Victim Blaming

challenging institutional disbelief around domestic & sexual violence and abuse

The BBC struggles to understand the word “row”

The headline is : Man knocks woman's teeth out in row

What actually happened: A 31 year old woman was punched twice in the face after stopping to help another woman after witnessing two people in an "argument".

I'm not sure where to even start dissecting this piece:

1. There's the idea that the woman got punched in the face as punishment for having a row in public; as if it's completely normal to punch someone in the face during a "row".

This is not a "row". It's male violence.

2. It's the woman's fault for intervening to help another person.

Yep. Stopping to help out someone in trouble means you deserve to be punched in the face.

You deserve to have your jaw broken.

3. It is not an "argument" when someone else intervenes. People don't wander the streets looking for "arguments" to intervene in. People intervene when there is a serious issue of violence.

4. There is another possible victim whose completely missing from the narrative.

The euphemisms for male violence have got to stop.

It is not a "row" if someone gets their jaw broken.

This language blames victims and erases perpetrator responsibility.

URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23127778

, , ,

Comments are currently closed.

2 thoughts on “The BBC struggles to understand the word “row”

  • Admin says:

    Following on from this piece, the author wrote a complaint to the BBC, who amended the wording of the article.

    Many thanks to Louise for taking the time to both write the piece, and follow it up with a complaint.

    It feels great when the broadcasters and media outlets listen.