01/02/2026
Stop empathising with the perpetrators. This language puts children at risk.
We are setting a clear boundary in this space. Enough.
Peer-reviewed research shows that when killings of children are discussed in ways that emphasise compassion for perpetrators, caregiver burden, or “complexity,” it can sanction harm by making lethal violence seem understandable or excusable.
It leads to more murdered children. Stop.
This effect is well documented in analyses of Australian media reporting on homicides of disabled people by family members (Buiten & Cresciani, 2023).
Public-health research is also clear that how deaths are talked about publicly can change behaviour.
In su***de research, empathic and identifying narratives are linked to increases in deaths through social learning and identification effects, which is why strict communication guidelines exist (Sinyor et al., 2018; Niederkrotenthaler et al., 2020).
There is no evidence that softening or justifying language improves safety.
There IS STRONG evidence that clear, accountable language is protective and can counter future risk to children.
For that reason:
We cannot be complicit in language that legitimises violence against children.
Comments that:
- empathise with perpetrators in any way or call for us to be more "compassionate" to child murderers
- frame murder of children as understandable in any way
- frame the situation as “complex”
will be deleted. Repeat commentors will be blocked.
This is not about silencing or censoring people. It is about preventing harm to children and young people who need our protection.
It is about stopping more kids being killed, plain and simple.
Children are separate human beings with the right to live. Disability, hardship, or distress do not make killing understandable.
This kind of accountability is essential for prevention of more violence.
As the adults, *we* are responsible to maintain language, approaches and communities that create safety and not risk.
We ask people to use the right language and call this what it is, even if it is uncomfortable.
Do not say:
- loving parents
- "we need to have empathy"
- "driven to it"
- difficult circumstances
- tragedy
- "it's complex"
- "it's sensitive".
Instead, say:
- murder
- perpetrator
- crime
- victim
- harm
- control
- preventable murder
- family violence.
And focus on the rights of the children as recognised in the Convention on the Rights of The Child.
Stand with the victims, never their murderers.
Comments will be heavily moderated for the wellbeing of our team.
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Peer-reviewed sources
• Buiten, D. & Cresciani, R. (2023). When the news reports on homicides of disabled people. International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy.
• Sinyor, M. et al. (2018). Media guidelines for reporting on su***de. Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).
• Niederkrotenthaler, T. et al. (2020). Association between su***de reporting in the media and su***de. BMJ, 368:m575.
