Fox Nation's Incredibly Dishonest Attack On An Anti-Domestic Violence PSA

Fox Nation dishonestly accused Planned Parenthood of teaching teenagers how to use makeup to cover up facial marks left from domestic violence. But the video they use as evidence is in fact an anti-domestic violence public service announcement that explicitly implores victims of domestic violence not to cover it up but to seek help. 

The source of Fox Nation's dishonest smear is a PSA called “How to look your best the morning after” that was posted on Planned Parenthood's Facebook page. The PSA shows a woman using makeup to conceal facial bruises. Fox Nation posted the video and a section of a LifeNews.com article under the headline “Planned Parenthood Shows Teens How to Hide a Beating with Makeup.” The article accompanying the video also claimed Planned Parenthood “shows how to cover up those nasty cuts and bruises that result from a beating”:

Fox Nation screen shot

But contrary to Fox's deceptive campaign to smear Planned Parenthood, the PSA very clearly urges women not to cover up the effects of domestic violence. The video portrays a woman with facial bruises discussing ways to conceal her bruises. Responding to the sound of a door closing off-screen, the woman abruptly ends the recording with a panicked look on her face. At that point, on-screen text reports that 65 percent of women who suffer domestic abuse try to keep it hidden. The PSA then urges women: “Don't cover it up.”

The video was not created by Planned Parenthood but by Refuge, a British charitable organization for victims of domestic abuse. The video is part of Refuge's “Don't cover it up” campaign, and features Lauren Luke, a British makeup artist and domestic abuse victim. Refuge explained:

Thousands of women experience domestic violence in this country every day. Yet many women are too frightened to speak out - instead they try to cover up the abuse. At Refuge we want women to break the silence, to realise they are not alone and to reach out and get help and support.

Hiding the physical effects of domestic violence is just one of the ways a woman might try to cover up what her partner has done to her. She may also withdraw from seeing her family and friends and become isolated, afraid to tell anyone what she's going through. The emotional and psychological effects of domestic violence are undetectable to the naked eye - but this type of abuse is equally, if not more, damaging. Lauren's cuts, bruises and fear are fictitious. But for thousands of women this is the reality of their everyday lives. 

The organization that Fox Nation is indirectly attacking with a dishonest smear campaign provides a network of safe houses for women and children fleeing abusive situations, a helpline to provide “emotional support and practical information” for women attempting to escape abuse, and support workers who help children deal with the consequences of abuse.