Resources for Reporting on Sexual Violence
The media serve a vital role in reporting on sexual assault. In an effort to help, MECASA has put together resources to assist with this challenging subject and help make the job easier.
Reporting on Sexual Violence: A Media Guide for Maine Journalists
This guide was created in partnership with editors from Maine’s media outlets and discusses ways to report on sexual violence in clearer, more neutral terms. This document also includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
2015 Sex Trafficking & Exploitation Media Guide
This guide was developed through MECASA’s program, the Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network, and is intended to inform the reporting on cases where individuals are being trafficked or exploited through force, fraud, coercion, or manipulation, and to distinguish between those cases and all incidents of sex work. This document includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
National Resources
National Sexual Violence Resource Center Reporting on Sexual Violence: Journalist Tip Sheet
National Sexual Violence Resource Center Media Packet
Centers for Disease Control Reporting on Sexual Violence
How can you help survivors?
Covering a challenging story that may be difficult to read for survivors of sexual violence? Survivors of sexual violence may experience retraumatization when reading or watching a story secondhand. We suggest adding a shirttail that includes information that can will connect them to resources and including it on any story that addresses sexual violence.
Here is an example: To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871- 7741. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.
In addition, the staff at MECASA are happy to assist and answer questions regarding covering sexual assault in the news. Please reach out to our Communications Coordinator via email or call our office at 207-626-0034.
The media serve a vital role in reporting on sexual assault. In an effort to help, MECASA has put together resources to assist with this challenging subject and help make the job easier.
Reporting on Sexual Violence: A Media Guide for Maine Journalists
This guide was created in partnership with editors from Maine’s media outlets and discusses ways to report on sexual violence in clearer, more neutral terms. This document also includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
2015 Sex Trafficking & Exploitation Media Guide
This guide was developed through MECASA’s program, the Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network, and is intended to inform the reporting on cases where individuals are being trafficked or exploited through force, fraud, coercion, or manipulation, and to distinguish between those cases and all incidents of sex work. This document includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
National Resources
National Sexual Violence Resource Center Reporting on Sexual Violence: Journalist Tip Sheet
National Sexual Violence Resource Center Media Packet
Centers for Disease Control Reporting on Sexual Violence
How can you help survivors?
Covering a challenging story that may be difficult to read for survivors of sexual violence? Survivors of sexual violence may experience retraumatization when reading or watching a story secondhand. We suggest adding a shirttail that includes information that can will connect them to resources and including it on any story that addresses sexual violence.
Here is an example: To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871- 7741. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.
In addition, the staff at MECASA are happy to assist and answer questions regarding covering sexual assault in the news. Please reach out to our Communications Coordinator via email or call our office at 207-626-0034.
