Responding to The Global Misogyny News Coverage Tracker report, Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said:
“Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is at epidemic levels. Yet, as The Global Misogyny News Coverage Tracker report highlights, the true scale of VAWG is still not being reflected in the global media. Alarmingly, articles including terms related to misogynistic abuse have dropped to the lowest level since in the nine-year period covered by the report. In fact, the report found that between 2017-2025, global searches for “domestic abuse support” increased five-fold.
“In England and Wales, one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and, on average, a woman is killed by a current or former partner every five days. This is exactly why we need to keep amplifying survivor voices and having vital conversations that actively challenge harmful narratives around VAWG.
“The media plays a powerful role in shaping public understanding of VAWG and challenging harmful attitudes. How the media writes about misogyny and VAWG impacts us all, and with that influence comes a responsibility to report on VAWG in a way that is ethical and centred on survivors.
“The media must rise to this responsibility, ensuring VAWG receives the sustained attention it requires while platforming survivors and confronting damaging narratives. Women and girls deserve to see their experiences meaningfully represented in the media, and Refuge remains committed to amplifying survivor voices.”
