'Happier Times'

Dear media,

When reporting on domestic violence cases, please stop captioning pictures of the smiling couple with the words 'in happier times'.

By the time the violence comes to legal and/or media attention, it's usually been going on for some time. And people experiencing all kinds of trauma - especially that which they might be terrified to reveal - learn to hide it.

Violence doesn't start when it's reported, and smiles do not equal happy. Unless you know this case to be an exception to that rule, the 'happier times' label reinforces both of those myths. Please don't.

Thanks.