Violence against women and children

Q: Can the BCCSA prevent the broadcast of scenes of violence against women and children?

A: A basic rule applied by the BCCSA is that all material should be judged in context.  In a bona fide drama, for instance, an assault scene may considered to be an integral aspect of development of the plot; such a scene is judged differently from a scene that is merely gratuitous, contributing nothing to the storyline. Such scenes would usually not form part of a programme broadcast before 20:00, and if they do an age advisory is required.

The BCCSA does not censor material, and it is not empowered to order broadcasters to remove programmes from the air.  It can only react to complaints about the content of a programme that has been broadcast. Where a programme constitutes a contravention of one of the Codes, a sanction may be imposed.