The Police, Rape Myths, and Fictional Media: How “Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit” Depicts Police-Based Rape Myths and the Implications of Its Portrayal

• In Event: Student Panel: Police Misconduct, Perceptions, and Factors for Recruitment

Abstract

Scholars have found that the acceptance of rape myths, or stereotypes about the crime, victims and perpetrators, influences how the police interact with victims, the amount of effort officers put into investigating the crime, and their approach for doing so. Police-based rape myths are those that focus on victim behaviors toward officers and the reporting process. Despite evidence that contradicts myths like – for example, many victims do not report in a timely manner – they affect how the public and professionals perceive the reporting process and their respective parties (i.e., victims and officers). The researchers conducted a content analysis of the primetime drama, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” Researchers quantitatively analyzed 24 seasons of the show to determine to what extent the show relies on rape myths in its depiction of cases. This paper specifically focuses on myths related to the reporting process and victim-officer interactions/expectations. The implication of police-based rape myths is a continued lack of reporting for one of the most underreported crimes there is. The question becomes, even with changes to policing, including how they interact with victims and handle cases, are victims being encouraged to report their experiences and seek justice by fictional media?

Author

• Gemini Parker, Texas State University