Why ethical reporting is a "fine-balancing act: An interview with The Age journalist, Rachael Dexter

More survivors of sexual violence are sharing their stories - but is the Australian media keeping up?

The rate of sexual assault recorded by police in Australia has steadily increased since 2012. With more victims opening up about their stories, media reporting of sexual assault has become more common.

“I’ll be frank with you, it was very emotionally taxing, and tiring, but very worthwhile,” The Age journalist, Rachael Dexter said.

For Dexter, ethical reporting of such cases is a “fine-balancing act,”.

“These people were so vulnerable, we really had a duty of care to them, which is really up and above what we’re usually doing on a day-to-day level,” Dexter said.

In the past, Australian media outlets have been criticised for victim-blaming and insensitivity towards the matter.

“The pressures of newsworthiness and profitability present formidable challenges to the task of responsible and sensitive reporting of violence against women,” Detailed a report by not-for-profit organisation, Our Watch.

“In order to tell stories like that, you need to be a human being, you need to be empathetic,” Dexter said.

But building up their trust took time and effort. The fragility of survivors' individual circumstances makes this relationship crucial to reporting their experiences. Dexter described the many calls and meet ups she has had with victims in order to create a space for them to talk openly.

For some victims she’s talked to, their situation has greatly improved, but for others it hasn’t, and that’s where the ethics of each case were different.

“Their mental health is at stake, but also in some cases, their safety as well,” Dexter said.

Telling the stories of sexual assault victims was unlike any other for Dexter. As a journalist her duty of care was higher than in most cases.

“In a way you’ve become a confidant to them,” Dexter said.

From the outset, Dexter and her team would make sure the victims she talked to, understood her role in telling their story and her power, “societal wise”. Dexter explains to each survivor she interviews what their expectations should be, and what she may or may not be able to share.

“You’re a journalist, you’re not a police officer and you’re not a judge. You’re there to tell their story but you may not be able to change their situation,” Dexter said.

Many of the victims she has talked to haven’t had closure, so telling their stories became “really helpful for their recovery and moving forward,”.

“Our case studies had to be the number one priority over a sexy headline or a great sell,” Dexter said.

Dexter had been approached by sub editors with catchy headlines, but she had to refuse.

“My main concern was doing the right thing by the subjects, and that’s what weighed on me the most,” Dexter said.

Dexter also experienced the other side of the coin, where victims were often too open with her.

“Sometimes when people are extremely vulnerable, they’ll tell you everything. You need to protect them because some people aren’t necessarily media-savvy,” Dexter said.

She felt keeping her sources constantly informed and aware of how their stories would contribute, strengthened her sources’ trust.

“This is going to be live, this is what’s going to be out there,” Dexter said.

Not everyone understands the consequences of putting your stories out there. Referring victims to mental health services was crucial for Dexter in many of her interviews.

Dexter learnt a lot from her experience reporting on sexual assault. Reporting on such a sensitive topic was “emotionally taxing” and became an around-the-clock worry. During the six-month investigation centred she felt herself burning out. Dexter continuously relayed the importance of a good team of editors and the importance of a balanced lifestyle. She found that creating time for herself allowed her to re-energise before coming back to the newsroom.

“[Fairfax Media] is really starting to up their emphasis on welfare, mental health and the importance of having a solid team,” Dexter said.

“When you’re spending eight hours a day interviewing rape victims, you need to try, if you can, leave work on time, or do something else completely different,” Dexter said.

Our Watch describes the cumulative effect of constant exposure to traumatising stories as ‘vicarious trauma’. Our Watch is a nationwide organisation that promotes an awareness of violence against women and children and ethical reporting of such issues.

“There is such a thing as second hand trauma or vicarious trauma and you need counselling to get through it,” journalist and social commentator, Tracey Spicer said.

A recent report found that 15 per cent of Australian incident-based media reports included elements of ‘victim-blaming’.

In an informative video, Our Watch ambassador, Tarang Chawla, described the consequences of bad media reporting. Many people who’ve experienced physical and sexual abuse don’t come forward because of their exclusion in the media as “victim survivors”, Chawla said.

Call 000 for Police and Ambulance help if you are in immediate danger

1800 737 732 – 1800Respect

24 hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

13 11 14 – Lifeline

For anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or are thinking about suicide.