Representation of Sexual Violence in Turkish Cinema and Television Series

Violence against women in Turkey is an endemic social problem that has been taken more seriously by public opinion in recent years. As a result, new legal arrangements have been made both to deter and prevent violence against women, which in turn have generated new appropriate administrative interventions. But the issue is not simply a matter of state concern: the media, which is an instrument of public opinion, has also focused in various ways on violence against women in recent years. This study investigates the social effects of the media's representation of violence against women, firstly dealing with its treatment in films and TV soap operas and secondly, providing examples that show how the media has often legitimized such violence. In conclusion, I offer suggestions as to how the media can reflect violence against women in a more responsible way.