The Role of Film and Television in the Perpetuation of Rape Myths: A Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Content Analysis

• In Event: Crime Portrayals in Popular Media

Abstract

Rape myths play a role in the depictions of on-screen rape, and the showcasing of these harmful beliefs leads audiences to accept rape as a form of sexual violence against women. This study presents the results of a content analysis of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episodes for portrayals of rape, rape victims, and presence of rape myths, with a focus on campus rape storylines. Crime dramas are prime candidates for rape-related storylines, and Law & Order: SVU was chosen because it fixates on sexually based offenses. Episodes were chosen based on relevance and those relating to rape picked out. Episodes were coded by themes emerging within storylines, as well as the presence of rape myths. Major findings include: a) the presence of multiple rape myths in each of the nine episodes; b) the questioning of victim’s stories in most every scenario; and c) the insinuation that the victim was responsible for, or lied about, their own attack. Findings suggests portrayals of rape are still heavily dependent on the existence of rape myths. It is important to recognize the impact of these depictions on real-life victims, as they bleed into the audience’s understandings of the crime.

Authors

• Brianna Caprio, Arcadia University

• Anne Mahar, Arcadia University