Reporting on Rape

Analysis:

This story primarily focused on the fact that a woman on the Westside was beaten and raped. Channel 13 provided the victim with a fair amount of airtime to talk about what happened to her, more than the average time given to people. In all the video footage used you can see the woman on camera, but never her face. The channel 13 story used her first name three times in the story and even putting it on the screen once while she spoke as you can see in the still clip here.

According to a Michigan guide for journalists called “Media Reporting on Sexual Assault” put out by the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault reporters should cover these stories primarily as a means to promote public safety, but that they should always be careful about respecting the privacy of the victim. In this case too much information was provided about the victim – her first name, where she lives, and the video footage of her and her home. It is important that all 3 stations gave the victim a chance to speak on camera, but reporters must be respectful of the victim’s privacy. Second, none of the stations provide information to the general public about resources available in the community, such as resources for victims, nor resources on sex assault prevention. Lastly, there is no context to the story. Reporters should provide some statistics on sexual assault in the area. This provides an opportunity for the public to understand to what extent these kinds of assaults are happening in their community. Also, the reporters missed out on an opportunity to speak with area advocates who can provide some useful information on this issue.

Story:

WZZM 13 News reader – A 24 year old woman was attacked in her driveway early this morning and tonight she wants to tell her story. It happened about 4:15 am in the 1000 block of West Fulton.

Reporter – The young mother of two says she was sexually assaulted outside of her home about a block from here over on Garfield avenue. And as difficult as she says it is to come forward she says she will not cower in fear. She will describe what happened to her and the person who did it so he can be captured and punished.

Victim – My nose is fractured. I’ve got cuts, I’ve got bruises. I’ve got huge lumps on my face.

Reporter – A 24 – year old Grand Rapids woman, her name is Nikki says she left her Westside home about 3 in the morning to go buy cigarettes. As she was getting into her car she said she was grabbed from behind.

Victim – I got drug down my driveway. He just literally beat the crap out of me. I mean he just kept on hitting me and hitting me. It was like he was just getting off on beating me up.

Reporter – The young mother of two little girls says she was also sexually assaulted, too afraid to scream for fear of what else her attacker might do to her or her daughters.

Victim – I screamed once and he threatened to kill me and he would make sure he left a lasting impression on the two little girls.

Reporter – The woman says the attack was so swift and silent that her husband sleeping inside didn’t even awaken. Nikki says the attack left her with feelings of fear and rage, but she will not hide.

Victim – I can talk about it. I can deal with it. I can overcome it and the person who did this to me is not going to make me cower.

Reporter – Nikki says the man who sexually assaulted her was a skinny White male in his 30’s wearing a baseball cap on backwards and wearing combat boots. In May an 84 year old woman was sexually assaulted in her home in this same neighborhood, but so far police say they have not concluded the same person is responsible for both crimes.

Total time: 2 minutes and 26 seconds