From true crime to pornography, the way women are depicted onscreen has real-life consequences
Last week saw politicians and the police scrambling for solutions to end the epidemic of violence against women. There have been the usual suggestions of rape alarms, more police officers and better lighting, as well as the frankly bizarre advice to women to flag down a bus while resisting arrest.
It seems that some people are determined to keep the focus firmly on the actions of women and away from the actions of violent men. But there’s a basic question that we need to ask if we really want change. What is it about our culture that is enabling some men to abuse women?
Fiona Vera-Gray is an assistant professor in the department of sociology at Durham University