Women’s Aid comment on media coverage around the horrific killing of Kristina Joksimovic

“Women’s Aid is horrified by the murder of Kristina Joksimovic, a model and former Miss Switzerland finalist, who was brutally killed by her husband earlier this year. The details that have emerged from court documents are shocking and upsetting. Our thoughts are with her two young children, and the rest of her family, who will be grieving this tragic loss.

When it comes to media coverage on cases of violence against women and girls, there is sadly an expected risk of sensationalism, or categorisation as a ‘true crime’ story for entertainment. We are deeply concerned about the reporting of this very real and disturbing case in recent days, which has seen ‘shock-factor’ headlines and articles with unnecessary and sensationalist details. It is important that we remember that a woman was killed in the most brutal of ways, and that because of her perpetrator’s actions, two children have lost their mother. Kristina’s grieving family does not need to see these brash and insensitive articles, which serve to dehumanise an incredible woman. As a society we must stop treating abhorrent cases like this a form of entertainment.

These headlines perpetuate myths about domestic abuse and violence against women and girls, as well as those who experience it, while failing to hold perpetrators to account of challenge the systems that enabled these forms of male-violence, such a sexism, misogyny, and gender inequality.”

Notes:

• Media guidelines on how to share information sensitively, safely and respectfully when reporting on domestic abuse can be found here.