The news media can play an important role in increasing understanding of sexual violence and how to prevent it. Reporters and journalists are in a unique position to help raise awareness of sexual violence and promote appropriate prevention responses.
The CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention, in collaboration with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, has developed a new media guide: Suggested Practices for Journalists Reporting on Sexual Violence.
This media guide provides all the relevant information in one concise document to help reporters and journalists communicate more effectively about sexual violence. Media can help spread the word that sexual violence is a preventable public health problem with significant adverse health consequences. Strategic and sustained communication about how and why sexual violence occurs and strategies that can prevent it can change the way people understand and respond to the problem.
CDC media guides focused on other forms of violence include: