A local paper is being slammed for posting a joke that makes light of domestic violence.
The August issue of Murgon Moments, a local paper in the Queensland town of Murgon, printed a ‘joke’ in its ‘Joke Of The Month’ section that involves a woman being instructed by her doctor that she can avoid domestic violence if she keeps her mouth shut.
What is going on this week? First White Ribbon asks for cash to educate abusive men now this ‘joke’ is printed in regional Queensland publication Murgon Moments. Hope all the local advertisers pull their cash. @ABCmediawatch @MFWitches @AusPressCouncil pic.twitter.com/DXZHwkmEan
— Cam (@camliveshere) August 25, 2022
It’s worth noting that domestic violence is such a severe issue in Australia that it has been declared a national emergency by the government, and 22 women have died at the hands of domestic violence this year.
Unsurprisingly plenty of people took to social media to express their disgust. Including Queensland Attorney-General and Women’s Minister Shannon Fentiman.
She posted the ‘joke’ on Instagram and wrote: “This is not a joke. It’s a stark reminder of just how far we still have to go.
“Already this month, it has been reported that several women have lost their lives due to domestic and family violence – that’s just in Queensland alone.
“It’s disappointing that this Qld newspaper published information on Men’s Behaviour Change Programs for their region and then went on to publish this as a “joke.”
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Fentiman also lodged a complaint with the industry-funded body Australian Press Council.
The joke has now been removed from the paper’s online version, but it will live on forever in print.
Perhaps we need to take this moment as a reminder that our overarching attitudes towards domestic violence need to change. It is literally costing women their lives.
