‘Promoting misogyny’ as four women and girls killed

Within four days, the identities of four women and girls who were allegedly killed by men they knew were read at a rally in front of the Supreme Court.

Activist Sherele Moody at Melbourne’s William St.

Moments earlier inside, the defense team of a previously accused murderer had argued that he should go free without charge over the death of Melbourne teenager Isla Bell.

Within hours, a headline was emerging: “Refrigerator body defendant makes rare legal move.”

An advocate for ending gender-based violence, Ms. Bell’s mother is no stranger to these bold statements about her daughter.

“Waking up today to ‘body in the fridge’ headlines, allowing this to happen with no consequences?” Justine Spokes told AAP.

“We are one of the richest countries, how can we allow headlines like this to promote misogyny? There is no accountability.”

Our Watch has been working with media organizations and advocates for more than a decade to promote respectful reporting on violence against women.

“Most of the news has improved, but we still see these headlines,” says Patty Kinnersly, CEO of Our Watch.

“This is very damaging for the people involved and their loved ones, and is also part of the problem of desensitizing society to gender-based violence against women.”

Ms Kinnersley says headlines that dehumanise victims are one of the drivers of gender-based violence.

“I have incredible respect for journalism and acknowledge the incredible schedule pressures journalists are under these days,” he says.

“But we also know that journalists not only reflect society’s attitudes and feelings, but also have the opportunity to influence them.

“We absolutely urge journalists to really focus on how they report, not just for families but also for the broader work of preventing this violence from occurring.”

In August 2025, the South Australian Royal Commission on Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence recommended national standards for responsible media reporting on domestic, family and sexual violence.

“This matter is currently under review at the federal level,” Ms. Kinnersley says.

“Exploring whether this would be helpful is definitely something that needs further research.”

He says the deaths of two girls and two women show “we have a lot of work to do,” some of which includes discussing and promoting healthy masculinity.

“The unfortunate and disturbing truth is that most violence is perpetrated by men against women, allegedly the same here,” Ms Kinnersley said.

“We really need to focus on how we can build healthy masculinities in young men and adults because we know that’s one of the most important factors.”

Ben Vasiliou, chief executive of Man Cave, a charity that works with boys and men, says more male role models need to speak out against violence.

“Silence sides with the oppressor,” he tells AAP.

“I know this won’t lead to direct change right away, but it will help start to change attitudes.

“Second, we need visible accountability for perpetrators, and third, we need to invest significantly in preventing this behavior.”

He says violence is a choice and prevention must start early.

“If we don’t engage boys and young men sooner and start shaping a healthier version of masculinity, we will face more control, more abuse, more neglect, more violence and more death,” Mr. Vasiliou says.

“We really need to change what it means to be a man.”

The sector is consulting with the federal government to develop the Second Action Plan under Australia’s National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.

Ms Kinnersly says it’s important to remember that gender-based violence is preventable, but we all have a role to play in ending it.

“We need guidance, funding and framework from the Commonwealth government and every state and territory government; I’m not denying that fact,” he says.

“The evidence is clear and to prevent this we must promote respect for women and oppose discrimination.

“As a parent, I can model healthy relationships, making sure I don’t use sexist language and don’t laugh at sexist jokes.”

Leadership is needed in the media, government, workplaces, sports clubs and schools, but individual action is equally important, he says.

“The next step is for people to do some homework on this themselves,” Ms. Kinnersly says.

“Governments will not be able to achieve this alone, we need them and they have a responsibility too.

“But, ‘What am I doing in my sphere of influence to contribute to positive change in this area?’ That’s probably the question everyone should be asking.”

Change can’t come soon enough for Mrs. Spokes.

The girl feels gaslighted and invalidated by the system after prosecutors dropped murder and subsequent manslaughter charges against the man they previously said was responsible for her daughter’s death.

“The way this is talked about and the way solutions are funded are geared towards just treating the symptoms, not the causes,” he says.

“In my case, there is not even accountability in our legal system, so there is no justice for the victims.

“In essence, the system that abuses you re-traumatizes you.”

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