Sexism in Facebook discourse about clergy misconduct

2021 ◽  
pp. 095792652110487
Author(s):  
Laurel Puchner ◽  
Linda Markowitz
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Moral Economy ◽  
Sexual Misconduct ◽  
Religious Leader ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Patriarchal Ideology ◽  
Sexualized Violence ◽  
Clergy Misconduct

Sexism and sexist ideology have significant negative consequences for female victims of sexual assault and other crimes. Thus, uncovering how language is used as a discursive tool for maintaining unequal power relations is extremely important in discourses around sexual misconduct and sexualized violence. In this study we used Critical Discourse Analysis and Manne’s theory of the moral economy of patriarchy to analyze Facebook posts supporting a religious leader who had committed sexual misconduct. The analysis reveals the patriarchal ideology underlying some of the Facebook conversation discourses and the discursive strategies used by individuals to try to normalize their sexist arguments. Content of the posts shows the religious leader’s defenders showing sympathy for the perpetrator, ignoring the female victims, and minimizing sexual assault, as they argue that he should not be criticized or held accountable for his actions.

Impact of poor evidence management on DNA profiling in sexual assault and homicide: A case report

2021 ◽  
pp. 002581722096648
Author(s):  
Naresh Kumar ◽  
Pooja Puri ◽  
SK Shukla ◽  
Deepa Verma
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Dna Profiling ◽  
Sexual Assaults ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Vaginal Swabs ◽  
Biological Evidence

Increasing numbers of female victims of violent sexual assaults are being murdered with the aim of concealing the identity of the perpetrator. Proper handling and analysis of evidence is very important in gaining a conviction in many criminal cases. After evidence is collected, due precautions must be taken to ensure that the integrity of the sample is maintained, and chances of contamination are minimised. This paper presents a case study where improper handling of biological evidence led to loss of evidentiary value, and the semen could not be located on the vaginal swabs and victim’s garments due to improper preservation of samples. However, the DNA from the nail of a decomposed finger helped identify the victim, and the suspect was apprehended based on the clues given by her family.

scholarly journals An experimental investigation of victim blaming in sexual assault: The roles of victim sexual orientation, coercion type, and stereotypes about bisexual women

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Dyar ◽  
Brian A. Feinstein ◽  
RaeAnn Elizabeth Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Lesbian Women ◽  
Bisexual Women ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Assault Victims ◽  
Influence Perceptions

Bisexual women are more likely to be sexually assaulted and to receive negative reactions to disclosures of sexual assault than heterosexual and lesbian women. However, few studies have examined the extent to which victim sexual orientation and related factors influence perceptions of sexual assault victims and perpetrators. To fill this gap, the current study used an experimental manipulation to examine the influence of victim sexual orientation and coercion type on perceptions of sexual assault victims and perpetrators. Participants (N = 826) were randomly assigned to read one of nine vignettes in which the sexual orientation of the female victim (bisexual, lesbian, heterosexual) and the type of coercion (verbal, physical, alcohol incapacitation) were varied. Then, participants were asked a series of questions about the victim and the perpetrator. Results indicated that bisexual and heterosexual female victims were both perceived as having wanted to have sex with the perpetrator more and as having “led the perpetrator on” more than lesbian victims. In contrast, victim sexual orientation was not associated with explicit ratings of victim or perpetrator responsibility or victim suffering. Bisexual female victims were also perceived as more promiscuous than both lesbian and heterosexual female victims. In turn, perceiving the victim as more promiscuous was associated with perceiving the victim as more responsible, having wanted to have sex with the perpetrator more, having “led the perpetrator on” more, and suffering less, and with perceiving the perpetrator as less responsible. In sum, our findings suggest that efforts to reduce sexual violence toward bisexual women should attend to negative attitudes toward bisexual women, especially the perception of bisexual women as promiscuous.

scholarly journals A Comparative Approach to a Transatlantic Scandal: Le Monde and the New York Times’ Coverage of Roman Polanski’s 2009 Arrest

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Lefkowitz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Sexual Misconduct ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Moral Issues ◽  
Legal Case ◽  
Roman Polanski ◽  
A Minor

Since internationally renowned film director Roman Polanski was arrested on six charges of misconduct directed at a minor in 1977, his legal case has drawn strong reactions in connection to a range of political, social, and moral issues. Responses to the scandal have differed sharply across French and American national lines and as such, prestige press coverage of the director’s 2009 arrest in France and the U.S. reflects differences in dominant national ideologies. This paper applies a critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach to analyze two specific sets of national ideologies connected to the case – those connected to that of the artist’s worth and those relevant to perceptions of sexual misconduct. 

scholarly journals (DE)CONSTRUCTING THE “PERFECT RAPE VICTIM”: AN ANALYSIS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SURVIVOR DISCOURSES IN THE CANADIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanshika Dhawan ◽  
Marty Fink
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Sexual Assault Survivors ◽  
Spousal Rape ◽  
Definition Of

The Canadian criminal justice system has seen many progressive changes to the way sexual assault cases are investigated and prosecuted over the past several decades. From the acknowledgement of spousal rape to the introduction of rape shield provisions, the law has seemingly changed to broaden the definition of what is considered a sexual assault. However, sexually-based offences are still vastly underreported and have the lowest attrition rates of indictable offences. Larger societal discourses around sexual assault and survivor-hood consist largely of rape myths, such as the idea that “real rape” only occurs when an “undeserving” woman is sexually assaulted by a “stranger in the dark.” These discourses permeate the Canadian criminal justice system, negatively influencing the experience of survivors who do not fit the narrow mould “real rape.” Drawing from Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis and Stuart Hall’s Discursive Approach, this Major Research Paper traces the effects of these discourses on constructions of sexual assault and survivor-hood in the legal system. Through a theoretical analysis of existing literature on the experiences of sexual assault survivors, this paper also examines the ways in which the language we use to describe sexual assault serves to cement rape myths and invalidate survivor experiences in every stage of the Canadian criminal justice system.

Sexual Harassment of Students at Institutions of Higher Education: Variations in Students’ Experiences, Knowledge, and Perceptions Across Institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 155708512110625
Author(s):  
L. B. Klein ◽  
Marie C. D. Stoner ◽  
Nivedita L. Bhushan ◽  
Grace E. Mulholland ◽  
Bonnie S. Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Sexual Misconduct ◽  
Acquaintance Rape ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education

Attention to sexual misconduct has focused on acquaintance rape, leaving a need for research on less highly recognizable forms of harm. We estimated institution of higher education (IHE)-specific prevalence of yellow zone sexual harassment (SH) among students at 27 IHEs. We then examined SH and perceived risk of sexual assault/misconduct, knowledge regarding policies/resources, and perceptions of sexual misconduct response. Between 37.1% and 55.7% of students experienced SH. Harassed students were much more likely than non-harassed students to feel at risk for sexual misconduct and to have negative views of sexual misconduct response. Implications for research, policy, and prevention/response are discussed.

A feminist reflection on male victims of conflict-related sexual violence

2020 ◽  
pp. 135050682090498
Author(s):  
Louise du Toit ◽  
Elisabet le Roux
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Social Effects ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Humanitarian Response ◽  
Patriarchal Ideology ◽  
The World ◽  
The One

The authors identify a pervasive tendency, especially in the world of development and humanitarian response, to hierarchize or prioritize certain types of victims of sexual violence in armed conflict over others. Within this broader context, they focus on what a considered feminist acknowledgement of male victims of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) should look like. On the one hand, they emphasize that one and the same patriarchal template is used to humiliate and shame male and female victims of sexual violence alike. On the other, they urge that in light of the pervasiveness of patriarchal ideology and its harmful and wide-reaching social effects, the time is not yet ripe to endorse a gender-blind approach to CRSV.

Freeing Ahasuerus, Haman, and Mordechai: Liberating the Oppressor in the Book of Esther

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-61
Author(s):  
Denise Flanders
Keyword(s):  
Biblical Text ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Female Characters ◽  
Marginalized Communities ◽  
Patriarchal System ◽  
Male Characters ◽  
Patriarchal Ideology

Abstract The approach taken in this essay proceeds from the assumption that the biblical text of Esther reflects a patriarchal ideology and it is largely the males in the story who wield the power. However, instead of examining the negative consequences for the female characters and how the patriarchal system forces them to operate, I look to the male characters to see how they fare in the system of patriarchy which they undoubtedly inhabit. In the first part of the essay, I consider the call issued by womanist and liberation theologians from traditionally marginalized communities for the need for liberation of both the oppressed and the oppressors from systems of oppression. In the second part of the essay, I respond to this call via an analysis of the book of Esther. First, I examine four different actions or attitudes that characterize the men in the story. Second, I observe some places where their power clearly brings them loss. Third, I argue that the destructive attitudes, actions, and relationships of the men in the story demonstrate their own need for liberation from the oppressive system of patriarchy from which they supposedly benefit.

scholarly journals Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Statutory Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-153
Author(s):  
Mia J. Abboud ◽  
Guangzhen Wu ◽  
Amelie Pedneault ◽  
Mary K. Stohr ◽  
Craig Hemmens
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
News Media ◽  
Sexual Misconduct ◽  
State Law ◽  
Child Sexual Assault ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Age Of Consent ◽  
Educator Sexual Misconduct ◽  
Definition Of

Educator sexual misconduct is a problem that has gained increased attention because of the high-profile cases reported by the news media. Yet, the diversity in state law regarding this offense remains somewhat unexplored. In this article, we compare and evaluate state statutory provisions regarding educator sexual misconduct; our focus is on what constitutes educator sexual misconduct, and what penalties are provided for offenders. As such, we explore the differences and similarities in statutory provisions across states in terms of the definition of child sexual assault, the age of consent, the penalties for various types of sexual misconduct perpetrated by teachers, and any requirement for registration as sex offenders. Our findings indicate that though the number of applicable statutes has almost doubled since 2010, there remains a wide variety in the definition and penalties included in those laws, and 21 states have not chosen to enact a specific law at all.

“You Should Have Known Better”: The Social Ramifications of Victimization-Focused Sexual Assault Prevention Tips

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052091365
Author(s):  
Sydney Cherniawsky ◽  
Melanie Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Ambivalent Sexism ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Victim Blame ◽  
Sexual Assault Prevention ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Assault Prevention

Common sexual assault prevention strategies emphasize individuals’ responsibility to protect themselves from victimization. Using a feminist theoretical approach, the present study was the first to assess the unintended, negative consequences that result when taking a victimization-focused approach to sexual assault prevention. Participants ( N = 321) were primarily heterosexual, Caucasian undergraduate students from a Western postsecondary institution. A between-participants experimental design was employed, whereby participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) victimization-focused prevention tips ( n = 114; e.g., “Be alert and aware of your surroundings”); (b) perpetration-focused prevention tips ( n = 103; e.g., “Don’t slip any unwanted substances into drinks at bars or parties”); or (c) study tips for control purposes ( n = 104; e.g., “Take a ten-minute break every hour”). Following prevention tip exposure, participants read a sexual assault vignette and completed measures of victim culpability and several related constructs (i.e., ambivalent sexism, belief in a just world, and rape myth acceptance). Results indicated that participants who received victimization-focused prevention tips attributed significantly more blame to the victimized woman in the vignette than participants in both the control condition and perpetration-focused condition. Based on these results, it is recommended that social institutions further evaluate the efficacy and unintended consequences of prevalent victimization-focused sexual assault prevention strategies. Specifically, institutions should consider the implications of endorsing strategies that are evidenced to enhance victim blame, thereby perpetuating rape culture. Prevention strategies that engage bystanders and seek to prevent perpetration should be considered as an alternative approach.

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