TV Segment Showed How to Cover Domestic Violence Bruises

A Moroccan broadcast channel apologized for airing a segment that taught women how to cover signs of domestic abuse.

The demonstration showed a makeup artist using concealer to "camouflage the traces of violence against women."

Immediately after the show aired, criticism came pouring in. Tons of people shared their opinions on social media, including one user who wrote, "Host spends more time talking about the best brand of makeup to cover domestic violence bruises than the actual issue of domestic violence."

According to Human Rights Watch, Moroccan authorities don't offer a lot of protection for victims of domestic abuse. And a petition called the network out for a message that normalizes violence against women.

Several women told Human Rights Watch that when they did come forward with instances of abuse, authorities wouldn't document the case. Sometimes, they said, police told them to go back to their abusers.

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Domestic violence in Morocco is a big issue. A national survey from 2009 found that almost two-thirds of women ages 18 to 65 had experienced some form of violence.

Channel 2M responded to the backlash through an apology on its Facebook page. The channel called the segment "completely inappropriate."

The channel's management said they will take the necessary steps toward the people responsible for the "error" and offered their sincerest apologies.

The segment aired two days before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which some outlets were quick to point out.