The Language of Victimization: An Analysis of Victim Statements within a Criminal Justice Drama

• In Event: Representations of Victimization in Television and Film

Abstract

Since 1999, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has led Nielson ratings in the area of prime time criminal justice dramas. Although fictional, the show frequently depicts stories that have captured national attention. The combination of high volumes of viewers with stories that are “ripped from the headlines” can provide a powerful narrative of how victims and victimization are defined. This paper qualitatively analyzes how sexual assault victims describe their victimization experiences as presented in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

Author

• Ursula Ann Lande, Georgia Military College