Melissa Yoong, assistant professor in sociolinguistics and discourse analysis at University of Nottingham Malaysia, said reports on the issue tend to follow a similar format.

“Details about the perpetrator are often excluded. That is why I think this kind of news reporting promotes victim-blaming,” she said at the second annual Malaysia Women and Girls Forum, organised by the United Nations Population Fund Malaysia.

Yoong said it also influenced how society perceived domestic violence as a women’s issue.

“There must be media regulations, ethics and standards in reporting.

“I think gender awareness training among media members can help them reflect on the stereotypes and prejudices,” she added.

Yoong called for a stop to unfair depictions, sensationalism and misrepresentation of women and girls.

“The media needs to pay attention to the language they use when reporting an event.

“When your language has stereotypes and prejudices, it harms gender equality.”