Loading...
Start Date
24-6-2022 12:00 AM
End Date
24-6-2022 12:00 AM
Abstract
The framing of rape as entertainment or as a vehicle to elicit empathy for female characters has long been a Hollywood staple. Female rape victims are often portrayed as seeking revenge, which may result in yet another trail of violence as seen in Kill Bill (2003). However, the idea of the ‘perfect’ victim and the ‘revenge’ response to rape has been revisited in post #metoo media.
This presentation will focus on two examples in order to explore how both victims and their responses have been reinvented by the media. Firstly, it will examine Paris Hilton’s experience as a ‘bad’ victim of image based abuse through the non-consenusal release of her so-called sex tape. Hilton was prohibited from claiming victim status and lambasted across the media for being undeserving of empathy; the media discussions detailing this violence will be contrasted with the experience of Jennifer Lawrence who was supported in called this act a sex crime.
The move to rename ‘revenge porn’ as image based sexual abuse will be contrasted with the portrayal of victim responses in TV shows and movies such as Revenge (2017), Big Little Liars (2017-2019) and Promising Young Woman (2020). The presentation explores how these examples attempt to depict victims agency but still find it difficult to move away from objectification and revenge. The stark difference with I May Destroy You (2020) will be discussed as we consider a reinvention of the response to violence and revenge- healing, compassion, and the refusal to conform to stereotypes.
The Reinvention of Revenge/Porn
The framing of rape as entertainment or as a vehicle to elicit empathy for female characters has long been a Hollywood staple. Female rape victims are often portrayed as seeking revenge, which may result in yet another trail of violence as seen in Kill Bill (2003). However, the idea of the ‘perfect’ victim and the ‘revenge’ response to rape has been revisited in post #metoo media.
This presentation will focus on two examples in order to explore how both victims and their responses have been reinvented by the media. Firstly, it will examine Paris Hilton’s experience as a ‘bad’ victim of image based abuse through the non-consenusal release of her so-called sex tape. Hilton was prohibited from claiming victim status and lambasted across the media for being undeserving of empathy; the media discussions detailing this violence will be contrasted with the experience of Jennifer Lawrence who was supported in called this act a sex crime.
The move to rename ‘revenge porn’ as image based sexual abuse will be contrasted with the portrayal of victim responses in TV shows and movies such as Revenge (2017), Big Little Liars (2017-2019) and Promising Young Woman (2020). The presentation explores how these examples attempt to depict victims agency but still find it difficult to move away from objectification and revenge. The stark difference with I May Destroy You (2020) will be discussed as we consider a reinvention of the response to violence and revenge- healing, compassion, and the refusal to conform to stereotypes.
Bio
Dr. Caroline West is an outreach coordinator with Active* Consent, based at NUI Galway, Ireland. She completed her PhD at Dublin City University on the experiences of women working in the American pornography industry in 2020. This thesis also looked at fan interactions, stigma, violence, and feminist discourses on pornography. Additionally, she holds an MA in Sexuality Studies. Caroline is the host of the Glow West podcast which focuses on sexual wellness, and is a relationship columnist with the Irish Independent. She is also the sex and relationship expert for Bumble Ireland. Caroline has been a media commentator about consent, pornography, feminism, and sexual wellness since 2016.