Roundtable: Media and Criminology: Victimization, Offending, and Harmful Stereotypes

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract/Description

Representations of crime, victimization, and offending are rampant within media (news media, entertainment media, and social media). In recent years, media have become spaces to discuss various social issues, and within these conversations, topics of criminology are prevalent. Within media, there are several factors that influence how victimization and offending are represented. This session will examine several aspects of criminology and media, such as how stereotypes across groups are related to invalidation and denial of the title of victimization. This session will examine media surrounding sexual assault, victim-blaming, and multiple perpetrator sexual assault through the lens of the “ideal victimization” and “real-rape” stereotypes. We will also be examining film and television representation of LGBTQ folks as well as harmful stereotypes associated with the queer community. These harmful stereotypes, often leading to the invalidation of their experiences with victimization, are also discussed in the context of abuse within the carceral system. The stereotypes surrounding Black girls and women and the link to victimization and criminalization are also discussed in detail, particularly, the manifestation of these harmful stereotypes within the school system. Literature surrounding these topics and implications for future research are discussed in detail.

Sub Unit

• Area XIV. Roundtables

Chair

• Casey J. Harris, University of Illinois Chicago

Discussants

• Gabriela Sroka, University of Illinois Chicago

• Nicole Sroka, University of Illinois Chicago