Why don't they leave ?

November 24, 2015 2:58 PM

Hitting Home: The hard truth about Australia's domestic violence crime wave (comments best ignored) Documenting the epidemic of domestic violence in Australia. Sara Ferguson's report into domestic violence can be seen on ABC iView (probably need a proxy) Also - These women had a right to be safe tells the story of the victims that have died in 2015.

posted by mattoxic (14 comments total)

After a cursory search I could not find an explanation: why are some victims "unnamed for cultural reasons"?
posted by TheyCallItPeace at 5:16 PM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

Some Indigenous cultures in Australia have restrictions about using the name of the recently dead.
posted by kithrater at 5:21 PM on November 24, 2015 [12 favorites]

... and most reputable media organisations respect this restriction. The implication being that those who are "unnamed for cultural reasons" are likely to have been Indigenous.
posted by kithrater at 5:22 PM on November 24, 2015 [4 favorites]

One of the most confronting, most harrowing documentaries of recent times on Australia TV.

Another reason that the ABC needs to continue to be supported and funded by the government, and not subjected to continuous pressure and budget cuts as has been the case in the past.

And Sarah Ferguson is one hell of a journalist.
posted by chris88 at 7:45 PM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

We're planning to watch this one. Sara Ferguson was interviewed on RN (national radio station) last night, she was great. The interviewer's style was a bit jaw dropping, mainly because he was trying so hard to be empathic and thoughtful, he kept talking over her and stomping over all her points. At one stage I was screaming "just let her talk!" at the radio.

Particularly interesting was one of his initial questions was along the lines of "I was watching the doco and looking at these guys [i.e. the perpetrators] and they looked a little rough and ready. What was it like being around them?"

Sara took great pains to point out that actually these guys were pretty normal every day sorts of guys -- you wouldn't pick them as abusers by looking at them. It was so evident that he was desperately trying to distance himself from those men and their behaviour: to say I'm not like that, only really rough people are. She was very quick to correct that assumption.

Also: yesterday was White Ribbon Day in Australia
posted by prettypretty at 7:46 PM on November 24, 2015 [4 favorites]

Its hard to discuss this topic, but agree that it'd be even harder without a well funded public broadcaster and the best of journalism.
posted by jjderooy at 8:08 PM on November 24, 2015

A very good article. Thanks!
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 8:26 PM on November 24, 2015

Also: yesterday was White Ribbon Day in Australia

It's actually today - the 25th of November.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:22 PM on November 24, 2015

It's actually today - the 25th of November.

Damn, work confused me: they held the associated morning tea yesterday.
posted by prettypretty at 9:23 PM on November 24, 2015

For further context: previously on the way Australian courts handle domestic violence.
posted by une_heure_pleine at 10:04 PM on November 24, 2015

Great post. The link with the women who died is difficult to get through but important.
posted by sweetkid at 10:33 PM on November 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

First Dog on the Moon has a cartoon about White Ribbon Day today.
posted by But tomorrow is another day... at 12:30 AM on November 25, 2015 [8 favorites]

I now think about my life as before and after escaping abuse.

. for all the women who don't get to live that second half.
posted by fiercecupcake at 7:23 AM on November 25, 2015 [5 favorites]

Interesting. Thanks, kithrater. (many hours after the fact ...)
posted by TheyCallItPeace at 2:00 PM on November 25, 2015