The ABC wins the Walkley Foundation's 2026 Our Watch Award for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women

Claudia Long, Chantelle Al-Khouri, Hannah Meagher have been named the winners of the 2026 Our Watch award for their story, Predators Paradise: Driving instructors accused of sexual assault. This ABC investigation exposed the scale of sexual harassment and abuse faced by young people simply seeking to learn to drive.  

Their win was announced in Sydney last night alongside all the winners in the Walkley Foundation’s 2026 Mid-Year Media Prizes.  

The category is sponsored by Our Watch, Australia’s national organisation for the primary prevention of violence against women, and administered by the Walkley Foundation. It recognises the role that accurate and sensitive reporting plays in raising awareness about the drivers of gender-based violence.  

The judges said the winning entry found “a disturbing lack of regulatory protections in the sector. They uncovered firsthand accounts...creating pressure for legislative reforms from federal senators and representatives in states and territories.” 

Presenting the award, Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly commended the team’s excellent reporting. “The media have immense power to create a culture where sexual harassment and abuse is taken seriously: a culture where victim-survivors feel empowered to tell their stories, and where gender-based violence is not tolerated to begin with.  

“Journalists have a unique opportunity to shape public understanding of gender-based violence, paving the way for systems change and education that stops violence before it starts. We’re seeing improvements in the reporting of the drivers of gender-based violence, but we still have a long way to go. The media can play a significant role by telling these stories with integrity, empathy, and dignity. Responsible reporting of gender-based violence is not only good journalism, but also an important part of creating a safer and more equal Australia.”