Sexual Violence as Public Policy Issue: Media Representation

Aroustamian, C. (2020). Time's up Recognizing sexual violence as a public policy issue: A qualitative content analysis of sexual violence cases and the media. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 50(January-February), 2020th ser., 1359-1789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2019.101341

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The study looked at the media representations of high-profile and sexual violence cases in a popular newspaper from the framing theory perspective. The researcher has used three high-profile cases that were published in two different American newspapers whereby he explores significant words such as 'frames' and if there have been any alterations in the cases between 2014 and 2018. The research indicates that in every 98 seconds in America, there is a person who gets sexually harassed either physically or emotionally. By use of literature review, the researcher discusses the cases of Cosby and Turner as close to as that of Weinstein, which was in court. The researcher concludes that because media houses use the term framing more often that it cleared a false presentation of sexual violence, which affects public opinion.

Cook, J., & Simons, N. (2017, November 8). The Weinstein Effect: How A Hollywood Scandal Sparked A Global Movement Against Sexual Misconduct. Retrieved September 6, 2020, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/weinstein-effect-global_n_5a01d0e0e4b066c2c03a563b

The article published by HuffPost discusses the Weinstein effect and how the Hollywood scandal necessitated for a global movement advocating for sexual Justice. The article shows that the Weinstein sexual harassment scandal was one of its kind as it hit the American airwaves and many male perpetrators found themselves losing their jobs and in custody for sexual harassment, starting with Mark Garnier. The popular Member of Parliament found himself in trouble for asking one of his secretaries to purchase to sex toys. All over the States, people got out in the streets to demonstrate against sexual violence, and it was generally termed as the Weinstein effect because this was the time when the said had lawsuits for sexual harassment. The Me-Too campaign serves as an example of how sexual harassment is rampant in the USA.

Farrow, R. (2017, October 10). From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein's Accusers Tell Their Stories. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-stories

An article by the New Yorker talks about Harvey Weinstein case concerning sexual harassment. It discusses how this tycoon in the entertainment industry in Hollywood used his money and power to assault women under him sexually. The movie executive, Harvey Weinstein, is confronted with the lawsuits of sexual harassment for the past 20 years. The article narrates how Asia Argento, an Italian actress, was forced to keep quiet about being sexually assaulted by this movie executive until recently. The article reveals that between 1990 to 2015, Weinstein has sexually abused more than 15 women, with more crimes going unreported. Lady, Lucia Evans describes how Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her. From the article, this man has committed so many crimes during his lifetime, but no victim has found Justice.

Hurtado, P., Raimonde, O., & Dolmetsh, C. (2020, March 11). Harvey Weinstein Gets 23 Years in Prison for Sexual Assault. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-11/harvey-weinstein-gets-23-years-in-prison-for-sexual-assault

The article, published by Bloomberg narrates how Harvey Weinstein will go to jail for 23 years for sexually assaulting multiple women with whom he has ever worked or had a friendship with. In the article dated May 11, 2020, Weinstein received a sentence close to the maximum even after video recording himself pleading for mercy. Even though this man was is guilty as charged for a sexual assault, he still clings to the fact that the ruling was unfair. Harvey Weinstein argues that he was accused of something he did not understand, and there could be so many blacklisted men in America of which he was the first to experience it. The article on the contrary opinion explains how people across America who were delighted with the ruling saying that it will end the sexual harassment against women and that people like Harvey Weinstein belonged behind bars. The author writes that Winston confessed of some of the crimes such as even threatening to castrate a staff member but never faced Justice until recently.

Paul, D. (2019, August 26). Harvey Weinstein's third indictment could open the door for actress Annabella Sciorra to take a stand. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/08/26/harvey-weinsteins-third-indictment-could-open-door-another-accuser-take-stand/

The article talks about how Harvey Weinstein's third indictment could open doors for the actress Annabella Sciorra to take a stand as a victim-witness for the case. For the third time, the movie executive pleaded not guilty to two predatory sexual assault charges which prompted for a witness. Harvey Weinstein was charged for five felonies of sexual harassment between 2013 and 2006 whereby he was arrested in 2016 but was released on bail because he pleaded not guilty at a bond of 1 million USD. Among the chargers that Harvey Weinstein faced included that of raping a woman during the 1993 and 1994 winter at an apartment in New York. The article narrates how Harvey Weinstein requested the judge, James Burke to ignore one of the victim's testimony saying that it did not meet the criterion since it lacked the jury consideration. According to the constitution, the crimes that this movie executive committed could give him a maximum jail term if they are proved to be serious sexual assault committed against more than one person.

Peters, M. A., & Besley, T. (2018). Weinstein, sexual predation, and 'Rape Culture': Public pedagogies and Hashtag Internet activism. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 51(5), 2019th ser., 458-464. https://10.1080/00131857.2018.1427850

The researchers discuss the case of Winston sexual predation and how it relates to the rape culture, which is predominant in America. The paper commences with background information about media and how it misrepresents the cases of sexual assault by discriminating against the male perpetrators. The research indicates that the New York Times, for example, narrates the Weinstein's sexual misconduct cases adding that 42 more men have been accused of the same. However, the researcher is not reluctant to mention that there have been other cases of sexual harassment involving older men to younger men and older women to minors, but they have not been given highlights. The researcher discusses the rape culture in America by asserting that it started in the 1970s, which prompted the emergence of feminist movements. The paper outlines how internet activism has been essential in fighting the vice.

Prasad, V. (2018, October 25). If Anyone Is Listening, #Metoo: Breaking the Culture of Silence around Sexual Abuse Through Regulating Non-Disclosure Agreements and Secrecy Settlements. https://lawdigitalcommons.bc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3704&context=bclr

The article discusses the #MeToo activist movement that fights sexual violence which was inspired by the case of Harvey Weinstein, a serial rapist's sentence for 23 years in prison for multiple sexual assaults. The writer indicates that secrecy leads to the blossoming of sexual violence, and this has been the case for decades as victims of sexual violence have kept quiet for fear of intimidation. The writer mentions some prevalent serial sexual abusers such as Cosby, Bill O'Reilly and Weinstein. The author contemplates whether the employers would be to blame due to their silence but concludes that because of this new movement that has come up more silent victims will talk to make the situation better. Finally, the writer argues that the non-disclosure agreements in sexual assault cases should be regulated through the use of content-neutral checks that would ensure accountability on the side of the lawyers and abusers.