According to a recent report from the Parents Television Council, the incidence of violence against women on television (including an increase in female victimization as a punch line in a comedy series) is up significantly since 2004. (An incident is defined as a storyline that includes victims of violence.) Consider these statistics based on primetime television (excluding news and sports programs):
*Violence on television in general is up 2% since 2004.
*Yet violence on television against women is up 120% since 2004.
*There was a 400% increase in the depiction of teen girls as victims from 2004 to 2009.
*The most frequent type of violence on the screen was beating followed by credible threats, shooting, rape, stabbing and torture.
Television is not reality. We get that. But when you consider the studies that show exposure to filmed violence against women leads to decreased perceptions of violence, you see just how damaging this sexist programming is. It desensitizes society to violence against women. That is irresponsible. The television industry is trading the value and the safety of women for ratings.
What can you do? When you see gratuitous violence against women on television, or you notice a disproportionate number of storylines victimizing women, let the shows’ advertisers know how you feel. Women control at least 85% of consumer purchasing power in this country. We can make a difference.
