UK organisations are advocating for change in the media amidst the rise of Missing White Woman Syndrome.
Missing White Woman Syndrome is a term used to describe the disproportionate media coverage given to cases of missing White women compared to women of colour.
First coined in 2004 by African American newscaster, Gwen Ifill, it is a complex and sensitive issue that has been the subject of much debate and discussion.
Working to create a more just and equitable society where all lives are valued equally, organisations like Sistah Space work to raise awareness about the challenges faced by women and girls from African and Caribbean heritage communities and advocate for policies that better support survivors of abuse.
Djanomi Headley, Operations Manager of Sistah Space, said: "It’s society creating a belief that a missing White woman’s life is somewhat more valuable than their Black counterparts.
"We don’t hold up a colour chart and wait to see what the victim looks like before we show support.
"We believe if it’s an issue, it’s the responsibility of the whole community, not just those who are affected by it.
"It’s not that you have to be a victim of it to be an ally towards the movement."
Sistah Space offers a range of services, including counseling, advocacy, and outreach to help women and girls who have experienced abuse heal and rebuild their lives.
Their work has established and educated people on Valerie's Law, after the murder of Valerie Forde and her 22-month-old baby by her abusive ex-partner in 2014.
Speaking on the origin of Sistah Space, Djanomi added: "One of the main reasons we started as a charity was with Valerie Forde as a stimulus.
"Although she didn’t go missing, she was a victim of domestic abuse, in what many believe could’ve been an avoidable situation.
"It’s that same theme of Black pain being ignored whether it be through the healthcare system, being through the lack of taking us seriously when we do report a crime or the lack of urgency when we do go missing, be it children, men, or elderly people.
"It’s a shame and I think it’s often downplayed as less severe as it actually is.
"I don’t think people realise that there’s a direct cause and correlation to death to Black fatalities."
"I don’t think people realise that there’s a direct cause and correlation to death to Black fatalities."
Expanding on the issue, Djanomi said: "If we had the same urgency and the same value for Black lives in society as we did for our White counterparts, we’d be suffering a lot less and seeing a lot less fatalities like femicide and missing children.
"When we look at cases like Madeleine McCann and compare it to cases like baby Ames, you can ask who knows Madeleine and they can tell you that her last name is McCann but if you ask who knows baby Ames, most people can’t do the same.
"It’s something that is so severe, so extreme and so crazy but doesn’t even get a fraction of the kind of headlines or media coverage that their White counterparts get.
"I would say it’s a systemic issue, it’s a societal issue and it’s an issue that’s created with intent.
"I don’t think this is an accident, I think it’s a combination of the media and the institutions coming together to say they have a hierarchy of value of life."
Research by Women in Journalism revealed that out of 111 people quoted on front pages, only 16% were women.
The 2020 report went on to reveal that out of these 111 people quoted, just one was a Black woman.
Taking action on such social issues, Action for Race Equality advocates for policy changes to address systemic racism and promote greater social and economic equality.
For 30 years the UK-based charity has campaigned and promoted racial equality and social justice not only through words but with action.
The organisation provides support to individuals and communities affected by racism and discrimination and works to raise awareness about the ways in which racism and discrimination impact people's lives.
In the rise of Missing White Woman Syndrome, Tebussum Rashid of ARE describes the importance of working to create a more just and equitable society where all lives are valued equally.
Deputy Chief Executive, Tebussum, said: "Everything we do is about improving experiences of communities we work with and supporting positive profiles, whether its criminal justice, education, or employment.
"However in criminal justice for example, it is the other way around. The disproportionate presence and experience particularly of Black and Muslim men is visible and damning.
"But when it comes to missing Black people and the violence against BAME women, we don’t get to see or hear stories at the same level or with the same energy or presence."
Expanding on the issue, Tebussum added: ""Action For Race Equality aims to influence systemic change through policy work but also working directly with young people, communities, and institutions.
"For us as an organisation, it’s not about one approach, we’ve got to tackle these issues with multiple prongs.
"We’ve seen a display of Missing White Woman’s syndrome again and again in news stories and in headlines, an obvious one and quite rightly highlighting Sarah Everard.
"but what about the Black or Asian women who also attacked, missing or murdered – why are they not given coverage?
"Whether it’s domestic abuse in a broader sense or it’s a missing woman, we don’t get that profile.
"We live this pretty much all the time, in terms of trying to get attention by media, by policy makers, by politicians on this subject, but also bringing to the table the question of ‘Why is it that women from minoritised communities don’t deserve the same protection or value?”
Tebussum extended her view, she said: "This conversation is much broader.
"Looking at media projection and use of language, you see the tarnish and profiling that we get through the media.
"With these kind of issues we’re told that we’re exaggerating and to get our facts first.
"We need to help women have that confidence to have this conversation.
"There’s so much data out there about racism, although nowhere near enough, but what are we going to do about it?
"With Missing White Women Syndrome I think it is so crucial to bring it to people’s attention because the media is not going to admit to it."
According to a statistical report by the UK Missing Persons Unit of the National Crime Agency, out of a total 163,535 missing people reported between 2020-21, 73,389 are female, with 9.3% being Black.
Taking matters into their own hands, Missing Black People are making a change toward the way Black people have been reported.
Missing Black People is a UK-based organisation that works to raise awareness about missing persons cases involving Black people.
The organisation provides support to families and friends of missing persons, raises awareness about missing persons cases, and advocates for policy changes to improve the way missing persons cases are handled.
Commenting on the issue of bringing news to the media, Founder, Dominic Norton said: "When we talk about the mainstream media, we have to put things into perspective, especially when it comes to missing Black people.
"Journalists face challenges pitching to their editors or producers because at the end of the day they are not the ones who say whether or not they’ll run with it in the paper or bring it in for a news segment.
"Whether it be The Guardian, Metro, or The Sunday Times, when it comes to the media, the biggest friction that goes on is the disparities between communities and who is telling their stories."
Dominic added: "The challenge as a grassroots community, especially in the UK, is that we still have to advocate for people when it comes to their stories in the news, Black communities don’t own the news outlets and Black communities don’t strongly influence the justice system.
"Building a strong community is about amplifying voices and educating the community about the real issues going on."
Many organizations in the UK are advocating for equal representation in the media with the knowledge of Missing White Woman Syndrome.
Some of the ways that people are taking action include speaking out on social media, creating their own media content, and prompting media companies to make changes.
If you would like to donate to the charities above to support the causes mentioned in this article, please donate to Sistah Space and donate to Act for Race Equality.
If you are affected by or require support from the issues addressed in this article, the following organisations provide services to help:
I love how well writ this article is, it’s informative yet emotive. I‘ve always been susceptible to thinking that as a black woman we‘re the same as our white counter parts but this has really opened my eyes. Great read
I love the depth and the authenticity of this article!! It perfectly highlighted an issue, people are scared to talk about. An absolutely amazing piece, you should be so proud!
The madelline mccan example really exposed to me how true this issue is and its systemic impact on black women. A very interesting perspectiv!
This article really opened my eyes on a topic clearly being overlooked by many including myself. I believe that this article serves as a call to action on social injustices and I have gained much knowledge by reading it.
Such an interesting read on a very important and underrepresented issue. It’s a breath of fresh air and inspiring to see journalists taking on issues faced by marginalised, particularly Black, communities. I’ve enjoyed reading and will check out Sistah Space- I would love to support!