Jerrie Demasi: Crime reporter and new mum joins Seven and hopes to shine light on domestic violence

Ace TV crime reporter Jerrie Demasi says it will feel like coming home in more ways than one when she joins 7NEWS as a new working mum.

Demasi joins the ratings-winning network this month after a career that has seen her work over east and report from the US with husband and fellow reporter Michael Genovese.

She says her new role at Seven feels right now she is a mother to the couple’s first child, 15-month-old daughter Tommie.

“Seven was always on the TV at home. I grew up watching Rick and Sue,” said Demasi, who steps up after a decade at lowly ranked Nine.

“There’s no denying Seven are ratings giants in WA so it has been interesting working for the underdog for so long. I am really excited. I have just come off maternity leave. I have a little baby girl and I am ready to try something new.”

With her husband staying behind at Nine after the pair worked together during a stint in Los Angeles, Demasi admits the dinner table talk could get tricky.

“There’s going to be some rivalry in the household now,” she said.

“We’ll definitely be keeping some station secrets to ourselves which will be an interesting dynamic.”

“We are both very supportive of each other’s careers. It was sad after both working together for so long but it’s nice to mix things up. I am sure we will have a bit of fun.”

Ray Kuka, news director of Seven Network in Perth, said he was delighted to welcome Demasi to his team.

“Jerrie is a news breaker, joining a newsroom proud of focusing on genuine exclusives,” he said.

“I’m glad Jerrie’s tenacity will finally have an audience with Seven West Media.”

Demasi says being a mum puts fire in her belly to shine a light on the spiralling domestic violence crisis and crimes that affect mums and kids.

“It will be interesting going back into crime as a mother, because you’re confronted with so many devastating incidents that involve children. Previously I was able to distance myself from the tragedy,” she said.

“I imagine it will be much harder to do that now that I have a child of my own. I also think parents can offer a unique empathy and perspective that viewers can really connect to and relate with.”

On the DV crisis gripping the nation, the award-winning journalist is proud she gets to highlight the issue and help women.

“When I first started out as a journo, DV was considered a taboo subject that didn’t warrant as much coverage as a random murder,” she said.

“I think it’s brilliant that Seven and The West are shining a spotlight on the issue and creating awareness. Too many WA women are suffering in the shadows.”

As for her new life as a working TV mum, she said there is no place she would rather be.

“I love Perth,” she said. “As much as the travelling experience was fantastic it does make you appreciate even more how lucky we are to live here. It is just such a beautiful city and I wouldn’t want to raise my daughter anywhere else.”