Miranda Guardiola
This article evaluates how sexual assault is represented in the media and how it influences societal thought on the subject. The author aids in the creation of a documentary film, In Motion, where “the content is intended to be used as activism against a pervasive problem on the campuses of US institutions.” This article emphasizes the history of women’s issues in film media, especially victimization and sexual violence, when used as a trope. Specifically, the author hopes to promote alternative ways that this narrative can be used “to educate on the myths that surround a culture of violence and victimization on college campuses.”
Research found that films, television, and web content are very influential in the mainstream gender attitudes of society; therefore, media that promotes degrading gendered attitudes are very detrimental to society. The author calls for media outlets (even though this will not happen overnight) to begin reassessing the representations of rape and sexual assault to promote an anti-rape dialogue instead of promoting rape-sustaining attitudes and a hegemonic masculine elitist view.