Rape In Media

[Viosinger]

Note: I am a victim of sexual assault.

So I find myself getting more and more frustrated lately. It seems like everywhere I turn, there's rape in the media. TV, movies, news. Part of me is happy for awareness in news outlets, but I don't think that's why they air it... Same as why drama writers love it so much. It's a high emotion, high attention grabbing topic.

While I want awareness, and not to have anyone sweep it under the rug... Is it wrong I wish entertainment would lay off it a bit? Thoughts?

 

[tillybee]

It's the advert that bothers me on english tv. Regarding a girl (who used to be in corronation street). It makes me feel so uncomfortable and usually triggers me. I remember being in that place in real life.

I agree with your views awareness great but having to sit and watch it is horrible.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

I agree I end up leaving the room when there's a rape scene. My partner is very understanding he realises it upsets me and turns off the film/ tv programme. I hate it it's like living in fear of what's going to happen when you watch TV.

For a while I stopped watching tv. I am all for educating people about rape and the trail of destruction it leaves behind for us survivors. I think there is too much rape scenes on TV and in films for me it feels like it's becoming normalised like it's ok to rape or that women should not dress a certain way or drink or flirt. There is no excuse rape is about power. I hate that women feel like they should live in fear plan our journeys home, not talk to men in bars in case they take it the wrong way. It's young men boys and adult men that need to be educated. Women and girls should not have to live in fear.

Sorry I may have gone a little off topic here. Xx

 

[Viosinger]

@NoWhereKnowWhere ... It's why I put it up. It's become a basic plot point instead of a serious conversation. It seems to me, lately, like it's getting more and more common. I'm glad I'm not the only one bothered by it.

 

[hope for now]

I really struggle with this as well. For example, the gang rape on the bus in India and the recent case where three young women escaped from a sex slavery situation have been huge triggers for me. There also seems to be more discussion on blogs, discussion boards, etc about rape, by people who have no idea about the topic! I want to contribute but I don't want to "out" myself as a survivor.

I agree that it has been "normalised' in the media....or at least normalized to the extent that boundaries become increasingly blurred. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a teenage girl in 2014.

 

[Meadowsweet]

Art nearly always reflects what's in the news. I think it is good that the conversation about rape and sexual abuse is getting there.

It is a difficult conversation, as rape is still a difficult subject for our society. But if you imagine this is like society being in therapy = it is desperately uncomfortable for it to be talked about, it brings up all the misconceptions and negative thinking styles that help nobody, and the conversation gets heated as people try to hang onto those ideas that make them feel like 'they' are safe, and rape only happens to somebody who is different to them.

So like we have to talk about the really horible stuff, the self-blame etc., in order to come out the other side with better understanding about boundaries and what's not acceptable to us - society has to do the same. So, as uncomfortable as it is, I think it's better to get through this by kepp talking about it, than it would be for everyone to shut up about it, and pretend it never happened.

 

[Viosinger]

@Meadowsweet I'd never thought of it as a manifestation/projection in a positive or working light. Touché.