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Original poster

radio ad for DV

130 replies

ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 25/12/2010 23:23

not sure if it is broadcast on uk station sbut i am in NI and the ad is either a man or a woman making excuses for the bruises and injuries they have (there are two ads by the same campaign.) things like "i walked into a door, she didn't mean it etc)

but the voiceover goes on to say that "domestic violence only stops when you report it"

now i know these ads are aiming to encourage anyone who is victim of or suspects DV to pick up the phone, but i can't help thinking that it makes out the victim or suspector (sp?) are responsible for letting it continue.

shouldn't these ads be directed at the abusers? surely they can script the voiceover to be directed at the abuser? something to get into their heads that makes them feel guilty and encourages them to stop and seek help for anger management and support for their victims.

OP posts:
WriterofDreams · 26/12/2010 11:47

Yup. The only consolation is to think that the attitude among most people would be that any abuser is just too stupid and irresponsible to be reached by an ad. So in a positive way it's sidelining the abuser and telling the victim they have control over the situation. I would worry also that abuser-directed ads might send the message to victims that the abuser can and might change which is untrue in most cases. It's better I think to send the message that what the person is experiencing is abuse and that they need to get out rather than hoping the situation might get better.

Original poster
ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 26/12/2010 11:44

yes i guess that's true. such a shame, i really hate to hear those ads. i know they are doing good but i think it does nothing to improve society's view of DV and women, in that teh abuser is let off the hook...yet again.

OP posts:
WriterofDreams · 26/12/2010 11:42

I agree, there should be a message to shame abusers, definitely. I suppose the issue is that there is very limited money for this type of campaign so they opt for the thing which seems more urgent, which is definitely getting victims out of the situation rather than improving the abusers.

Original poster
ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 26/12/2010 11:39

i agree. I'm not saying there shouldn't be ads aimed at victims and people who suspect DV, i just think that it could be worded differently to them and that tehre also should be ads aimed at the abuser. i know it is a case of them not wanting to admit it but i think the more they hear it (i.e; this is abuse-over and over again) then the better chance of it actually getting to some of them. surely those few that it would get to would be worth it and i do think it is high time abusers were held to account in public rather than as usual the onus being on the victim. people need to challenge the abusers and label their behvaiour aswell as be there for the victims whenever they are ready for the help.

OP posts:
WriterofDreams · 26/12/2010 11:35

I can totally see where you're coming from but it's a tough one because a lot of abusers would never admit to anyone, even themselves, that they are abusive. Usually the onus is on the victim or someone close to them to make it stop. The assumption with these ads and the ones relating to rape is that the aggressor is irrational and can't be trusted (which seems fair TBH) and that there's no point in appealing to him or her as an ad is not going to change their behaviour. The idea is that the victim needs encouragement to get themselves out of the situation as the aggressor can't be relied upon to stop.