Journalist Fellowship Paper . - Responsible reporting on sexual violence: a review of Bangladeshi

This has the effect of placing the onus of women’s safety on women’s behaviour rather than on the state and society, ultimately minimising their trauma and perpetuating the idea that sexual violence is a source of shame. [...] While this is a line of reporting that should definitely be pursued to explore reasons behind the culture of impunity, it misses the mark when the survivor and the issue of gender-based violence and gender inequality is wholly erased from the narrative. [...] Doing this can then make the narrative about accountability, remedies and solutions, rather than the “victimhood” of the survivor and the “monstrosity” of the rapist. [...] Another spoke of the need to dispel disbelief in the minds of readers by ensuring that all the facts of the case are present. [...] Journalists need to be sensitive to biases in class, race, religion and location Out of the three cases of sexual violence selected for the analysis, the Kurmitola survivor – a middle class, university student from the capital – was the most present in narratives.