Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence in the Media

Media is everywhere. The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence reports that “…92% of Americans use multiple media platforms to get their news daily.” Younger generations are growing up with even more media interactions through mobile devices. With so much exposure, the media can have a considerable influence on public thoughts, perceptions, and opinions. This can be potentially helpful, but also potentially harmful.

The media can often portray sexual violence and domestic violence, which is also known as intimate partner violence, in a way that downplays both topics or promotes a rape culture. Rape culture is an environment that normalizes or downplays the prevalence and impact of rape or sexual violence. Think about movies that you have seen lately. What type of behaviors did you see on the screen? Were men portrayed as aggressive and sexually dominant? Were women portrayed as sexually passive or weak? Was there a theme of women being portrayed as sexy or promiscuous due to what they wore?

Often the media will encourage rape culture or a desensitization of domestic violence. Many times, the media portray victims as “loose” or “irresponsible.” Everything about their life is examined and reported upon, including their lifestyle choices, their clothing choices, and their dating habits. This promotes the idea that the victims “asked for it” which also perpetuates rape culture.

With scenes of intimate partner violence, it’s not uncommon for men who are strong and aggressive to be portrayed as desirable partners, with aggressive or dominant behavior being acceptable and encouraged — even attractive. Powerful women can also be seen taking advantage of men, but the media makes it seem sexy and taboo. Healthy relationships and healthy boundaries in those relationships are rarely as entertaining, and so the media avoids showing examples of those. As adults, we can recognize the difference between reality and the media portrayals, but the lines can be blurry, especially when exposed to scenes of glamorized domestic and sexual violence over a prolonged period of time.

For children and young adults, there is no line between media portrayals and reality. Over-sexualized behavior is commonplace, and acceptable. Young adults and children don’t realize that the behavior they are seeing is not what the healthy norm should be. This can lead to desensitization, poor decision-making, and the inability to set healthy boundaries or practice healthy behaviors in their own relationships. It may lead young people to believe that aggressive, sexually dominant behavior is a desirable display of affection, and that they are expected to submit and enjoy the attention. Others may feel that it’s acceptable to dominate their partners, manipulate or intimidate them, or physically overpower them. The media may also encourage victims to feel that it is all their fault or be hesitant to report sexual violence and domestic violence.

Though the media portrayal of sexual violence and intimate partner violence is harmful to the image of healthy relationships and boundaries, it can also be helpful. Not all media portrayals are the same, and some groups are using the media to educate people about domestic violence and sexual violence. We need to spread the word and encourage the truth to be portrayed.

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