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CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Thesis
LGBTQ+ and Law & Order:SVU: A thesis project
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005139
Abstract
Women are the most common victims of rape and sexual assault in the United States, though people who identify as LGBTQAI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Asexual, Intersex), are at a higher risk. Sexually motivated assaults are becoming more common in the LGBTQAI+ community. According to previous research, Law and Order: SVU (Special Victims Unit) has provided narratives that debunk rape myth stereotypes (Hust et al., 2015). It is unclear, however, how it depicts LGBTQAI+ people. A content analysis of the crime drama series Law & Order: SVU investigated (over time) whether the episodic material accurately depicted the narratives of LGBTQAI+ characters who had been victims of sexual assault and violence. The various ways in which LGBTQAI+ characters were portrayed on television were analyzed using Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. Humans learn new behaviors by watching others model them, according to SCT (Bandura, 2001). Because sexual assault themes predominate in crime dramas, determining the presence of LGBTQAI+ representation was critical. By analyzing multiple seasons of Law & Order: SVU, researchers gained a better understanding of how LGBTQAI+ representation in the television show was presented to viewers and how (and whether) LGBTQAI+ representation evolved over time.
According to the current study's findings, viewers may receive complicated messages about LGBTQAI+ people involved in sexual assaults. Overall, perpetrators in these episodes were punished inconsistently for their crimes. Because the law is not always applied fairly or justly in Law & Order: SVU, LGBTQAI+ victims of sexually based crimes may be discouraged from coming forward. The portrayal of LGBTQAI+ people in the media has the power to influence public opinion (both positive and negative), as well as future legislative issues. Representation is also important because it may aid LGBTQAI+ individuals in developing self-awareness and acceptance. With crime dramas' continued popularity, more positive and accurate representation of LGBTQAI+ people on television could have a positive impact on community representation and engagement.
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Details
- Title
- LGBTQ+ and Law & Order:SVU
- Creators
- Ron Price
- Contributors
- Stacey Hust (Advisor)Jessica Kay Fitts Willoughby (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Strategic Communication, Department ofTraci Gillig (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 94
- Identifiers
- 99901019538201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis