We received the following email this morning:Recently the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence has become aware of a new television show that appears to be seeking to exploit battered women.
Last month GCADV received a fax on letterhead from the Jerry Springer Show endorsing The Steve Wilkos Show, a nationally syndicated television show. In the letter, Mr. Wilkos described himself as a passionate former police officer and military man cares about tough issues such as domestic violence. He stated that he intended to highlight the issues of battered women during DV Awareness Month. He also asked for us to refer to him women interested in telling their stories on national television. The fact that this came on Jerry Springer’s letterhead caused GCADV to elect not to distribute the appeal.
This week, the Steve Wilkos Show sent another appeal (attached). The show now wants to find battered women who have made the decision to leave their batterer. They want to film the entire act of leaving and they want to “confront” the batterer. Producers, allegedly lead one shelter program to believe that during the “escape” the children would be left behind, although this is not evident in the advertisement.
You can get a hint of the Springer-like atmosphere of the show by going to his website and watching a short clip. In his myspace page, it is apparent that Mr Wilkos intends to build his new show around the misfortunes of others and make himself look like a rescuer.
GCADV believes this show can be dangerous for battered women.
In the event you are notified by the Steve Wilkos Show, we encourage you to refuse to discuss helping them find victims (of any sort). We also believe it will be effective for all programs to become pro-active and get as many people as possible to call NBC Universal. The number is 312-321-5936. Ask for Associate Producer April Altenritter. The FAX is 312-321-5363. The Assistant is Tanya at 312-321-5373. Please express disgust over using victims for commercial gain. To be effective, it will take a lot of calls.
If you have any questions or concerns that we can answer or research, please do not hesitate to call GCADV at 404-209-0280.
1 comment:
My sentiments exactly! I have
been watching "Steve Wilkos" and
have concluded he is not all that
compassionate towards women in
abusive relationships, rather,
he berates them mercilessly right
in front of the viewing audience,
verbally pummeling them with "So
when you found out (name of
batterer) was doing this to your
baby, WHY DIDN'T YOU GET UP AND
LEAVE??!!"
No matter what the response may be, this gives him OR anyone else
no right to verbally abuse a
woman or mother in an abusive
relationship.
He will, on stage, demand that
the woman make up her mind, right
then and there, to either leave
with her batterer, or presumably
take another exit, as if after
being grilled by Steve on national
TV is going to be all the back-up
support she will need.
For advocates of women and families, I do NOT advise anyone
to appear on his show, irrespective
of their status, target or victim.
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