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The Ideal Victim Analysis

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Studies of sexual violence reports within the media have shown that certain stories encompass inappropriate language, resulting in aggrandised and titillating articles. The terminology exerted for reports of sexual crimes can often convey the implication of ‘consensual sex’ rather than that of a criminal act. Words and phrases used throughout news reporting to depict sexual violence can refract from its true nature, for example, the term ‘intercourse’ is occasionally used to signify the act of rape and violent sexual assault, in some instances, the offender has been described as ‘having intercourse with’ or ‘having sex with’. In some instances sexual assaults are often referred to as ‘fondling’, so the crime appears as affectionate rather than …show more content…

Meaning that it is not a naturally ascending or objective category, but one that requires certain attributes and elements on the victim’s part. There are certain expectations attached to the label ‘victim’, meaning not everyone will acquire the label in news reports. (Walklate, 2005) Many could claim that children are the archetypal innocent victims and key symbols in the media’s construction of crime, this is true in many cases. (Surette, 2014) Yet, many criminologists have identified similar patterns in news reporting of women’s victimisation, supported by the concept of the ‘ideal victim’ generally being female. (Gill, 2014) Focusing solely on sexual violence offences within news reporting, our culture specifies that the ‘ideal victim’, in most cases being female, does not know her perpetrator, was simply going about her day-today responsibilities at the time she was attacked, and was not engaging in any deviant behaviour at the time of …show more content…

When females leave this particular stereotype, it is possible that they will be blamed for their victimization or interrogated about whether the incident occurred. An example being, a young woman who has been taken and trafficked from her home in eastern Europe and then forced to work as a prostitute within the UK is likely to be portrayed within the media as the ‘illegal immigrant’ and only after this, if it all, as the victim of crime. This particular individual does not fit the stereotypical victim of crime: she has no right to be in the county and also works within the sex trade, albeit under duress, throughout news reports, the individual would not be deemed a victim. (Williams,

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