Rape Culture and Media

2012 Jean Nidetch Women’s Center P.A.A.V.E Presentation

Jean Nidetch Women’s CenterWe provide:• Workshops and

presentations• Events on campus• Advocacy for

violence prevention, student parents

• Academic involvement

P.A.A.V.E

Formerly known as SAFE Team Educators completed 18 hour

training on domestic violence and sexual assault

Provides UNLV campus with presentations on specific topics in domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking

Next training in Fall 2012!

Statistics Only about 42% of rapes/sexual assaults were

reported to law enforcement in 2007 1 out of 6 American women have been the victims

of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime About 3% of American men- a total of 2.78 million

men – have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime

98% of males who raped boys were heterosexual 70% of female rape victims and 74% of male

victims knew their assailant 90% of college women of rape and sexual assault

knew their attacker prior to the assault

Definitions

Media Literacy: The ability to access, analyze, evaluate (think clearly), and create media in all forms (print, TV, movies, internet, etc.).

Sexual Assault: Forcing a person to participate in unwanted sexual activity using violence or threats.

Domestic Violence: is one person’s choice to use power to systematically take control of another person’s life including: emotional insults, economic deprivation, threats, coercion, & physical and sexual violence.

What do you mean rape culture?Rape Culture is a widely used term describing

a culture in which rape and sexual violence are common, and in which prevalent attitudes, norms, practices, and media condone, normalize, excuse or encourage sexualized violence.

Examples of behaviors that typify rape culture

include: sexist jokes, victim blaming, trivialization of sexual violence, and sexual objectification.

Why is analyzing the media important?• To explain the dynamics of sexual and gender-

based violence in the media• To gain a better understanding of rape culture• Analyzing the media with consideration to gender

is crucial to understanding the larger context in which violence operates.

• To understand the need for media literacy education• Media messages affect our thoughts and actions by

conveying ideological and value messages• Media messages reflect the values and viewpoints of

media makers, and most media are controlled by commercial interests

Always “connected”o Televisiono Cell phoneso Social Networking Siteso Textingo You Tube

Increases sources for violenceo Cyber bullying/Virtual Violenceo Harassmento Sending pictures and video (Sexting)o Representation of gender-based violence in

the media sustains a rape culture

Present state of Media &Technology

Daily Exposureo Music (downloading)o TV (4 to 6 hours)o Movieso Video Games

Unhealthy Relationships Pornographic Imagination Promotes rape culture

Pop Culture & Media

Increasing violence Overt and “in your face” Sadistic/ Sexual Aggression Gender Stereotypes Catered to hetero-male fantasies Promote male-dominance Female Objectification Normalization of violent behavior

Gender-based violence in the Media

Gender Representations

Advertising

Female Objectification in the Media

Ethical treatment for animals at the expense of women??

Music & Video Games

Incidents of violence against women and teenage girls are increasing on television at rates that far exceed the overall increases in violence on television.  

Violence, irrespective of gender, on television increased only 2% from 2004 to 2009, while incidents of violence against women increased 120% during that same period

(Parents Television Council, 2009)

Television

The most frequent type of violence against women on television was beating (29%), followed by credible threats of violence (18%), shooting (11%), rape (8%), stabbing (6%), and torture (2%).  Violence against women resulted in death 19% of the time

From 2004 to 2009 there was an 81% increase in incidences of intimate partner violence on television.

(Parents Television Council, 2009)

TV... Cont.

Fox stood out for using violence against women as a punch line in its comedies -- in particular Family Guy and American Dad -- trivializing the gravity of the issue of violence against women.

Trivializing Violence Against Women

It is unreasonable to expect that people will change their behavior easily when so may forces in the social, cultural, and physical environment conspire against such change.

(Institute of Medicine, 2001, p.4)

Social Change

Can’t control media, but can control what we consume

Use media for teaching moments & education Social Networking You Tube Webinars Blogs Podcasts

Utilize existing resources (e.g.;www.preventconnect.org)

Use of Media in Prevention

Tough Guise: Jackson Katz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3

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