Tools for Journalists

Victim/Suspect exposes deep flaws in the systems meant to protect survivors—and journalism is part of that story. This page offers tools for reporters, editors, and educators who want to reflect on their role, lead meaningful conversations, and make change inside newsrooms. From key film clips and discussion guides to trauma-informed reporting practices and policy models, these resources are here to support better, more ethical journalism.

Host a Screening

Host a screening of Victim/Suspect. Access the Journalistic Ethics section of the discussion guide to convene a discussion in your newsroom or Journalism course.

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Access Key Scenes

Access clips from the film about publishing standards and reporting on crime victims that will be especially relevant to journalists and journalism students. Download for free here.

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Practice Trauma Aware/Informed Journalism

Trauma informed journalism requires an understanding of the effects of trauma on sources and their communities, a focus on informed consent, and a lasting transparent and collaborative relationship between journalist and source.

Trauma Aware Journalism Toolkit

Access the Trauma Aware Journalism Toolkit by Dart Center. It includes videos, study guides and tip sheets that are designed for discussion and learning – in the classroom or the newsroom.

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Newsroom Policy Change

Resources for Journalists to advocate internally for newsroom policy change:

Building a Better Beat: A New Approach to Public Safety Reporting
Form a ‘takedown committee’ in your newsroom to ensure equity and transparency in responding to unpublishing requests. Online stories about arrests live forever, even if the person is quietly exonerated. Newsrooms with standardized unpublishing policies: Cleveland.com and The Gazette.

Thematic Discussion Questions: Covers sexual assault, policing, journalism, trauma, and victim-blaming.

Myth-Busting: Clarifies common rape myths and how they distort public and institutional responses.

Educational Resources: Includes links to survivor toolkits, legal rights, and trauma-informed support networks.

When Victims Become Suspects

Developed for screenings of the documentary Victim/Suspect and conversations that follow, our discussion guide equips audiences with tools to confront the troubling reality of sexual assault survivors being criminalized after reporting. Featuring thematic questions, background on rape myths, and strategies for trauma-informed conversation, it’s designed to foster honest dialogue, challenge harmful biases, and support systemic change in policing, journalism, and advocacy.

Note: We invite you to provide your name and email address, which will help us measure the impact of Victim/Suspect. However, you aren’t required to provide those details to access the guide.