News Coverage Of Violence Against Women

SlutWalk

“…In doing so, it challenges the notion that sexual assault is a crime committed by a few 'bad apples,' and instead recognizes the way it has historically been used as a tool to maintain (male) dominance and (female) oppression. Although there is evidence that feminist understandings are becoming increasingly common (see Durham 2013), research continues to show that rape is still explained as men's inability to control their lust (Alat 2006;Bonnes 2013). Such constructions are rooted in hegemonic ideologies in which men are 'naturally' sexual, and driven by primitive urges which have been ingrained for centuries (Hasinoff 2009).…”

“…CDA has been a particularly popular method for scholars interested in exploring gender issues, as it aims to unpack how discourse creates and sustains gender inequality, patriarchy and other gender-based discrimination in general (Jaworska & Krishnamurthy 2012;Lazar 2005;Mendes 2011a; Shaw 2012b; van Dijk 2008). CDA has also been widely used in studies examining representations of sexual assault or rape culture (see Alat 2006;Bonnes 2013;Harp et al 2014;Jamel 2014;McNicol 2012;Meyer 2010;Moffett 2006;Worthington 2010), making it a good fit for this study. Although CDA pays 'close attention to language and its usage' (Meyers 1997, p. 13), it does not analyze merely what is said, but what is implied and ignored (see also Fairclough 1995).…”

“…It was also during the 1970s that the news media, particularly in the UK, became increasingly sexualized, and newspapers were interested in the lurid details involving sexual assault (Carter 1998). As a result of these changes, there has been an abundance of research into how the mainstream news media all around the globe reports rape and sexual assault (see Alat 2006;Benedict 1992;Bonnes 2013;Carter 1998;Durham 2013;McManus & Dorfman 2005;Meyer 2010;Meyers 1997Meyers , 2006Soothill & Walby 1991;Worthington 2008). Common areas of focus in these studies include representations of victims and perpetrators, the causes of rape, and the development and perpetuation of rape myths.…”

“…Scholars have found this to be particularly true if the victims are women of colour, knew their assailant, drank alcohol, dressed provocatively, were not virgins, or worked in the sex industry (Benedict 1992;Bonnes 2013;Cuklanz 1996;Meyer 2010;Meyers 2006;Soothill & Walby 1991;Worthington 2008). The news media help assign blame or innocence through a (lack of) detailed description of victims -their names, ages, occupations, appearance and marital status (Alat 2006;Clark 1992). The news media also assign blame through their description of the victim's behaviour on the night of the assault.…”

Content Analysis of News Reporting about Women in the Kashmir Daily ‘Greater Kashmir’

“…Most of the suicides committed by women are mostly the result of prolonged domestic violence abuses, The news reports also recorded the claims of their families who believed the suicide were actually murders planned by the in-laws, mainly the husbands on account of domestic strife. In large number of cases, it has been reported that these women were harassed by the in-laws for not been able to give enough dowry [1]. There were about 8 cases of women burning themselves in presence of their in laws.…”