About the book
Since footballer sexual assault became top news in 2004, six years after the first case was reported, much has been written in the news media about individual cases, footballers and women who have sex with them. Deb Waterhouse-Watson reveals how media representations of recent sexual assault cases involving Australian footballers amount to \"trials by media\", trials that result in acquittal. The stories told about footballers and women in the news media evoke stereotypes such as the \"gold digger\", \"woman scorned\" and the \"predatory woman\", which cast doubt on the alleged victims’ claims and suggest that they are lying. Waterhouse-Watson calls this a \"narrative immunity\" for footballers against allegations of sexual assault.
This book details how popular conceptions of masculinity and femininity inform the way footballers’ bodies, team bonding, women, sex and alcohol are portrayed in the media, and connects stories relating to the cases with sports reporting generally. Uncovering similar patterns of narrative, grammar and discourse across these distinct yet related fields, Waterhouse-Watson shows how these discourses are naturalised, with reports on the cases intertwining with broader discourses of football reporting to provide immunity. Despite the prevalence of stories that discredit the alleged victims, Waterhouse-Watson also examines attempts to counter these pervasive rape myths, articulating successful strategies and elucidating the limitations built into journalistic practices, and language itself.
Editions of Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\"
- EBook
- ISBN 9781135123512
- PDF
- ISBN 9781135123529
Read an Excerpt
Since footballer sexual assault became top news in 2004, six years after the first case was reported, much has been written in the news media about individual cases, footballers and women who have sex with them. Deb Waterhouse-Watson reveals how media representations of recent sexual assault cases involving Australian footballers amount to \"trials by media\", trials that result in acquittal. The stories told about footballers and women in the news media evoke stereotypes such as the \"gold digger\", \"woman scorned\" and the \"predatory woman\", which cast doubt on the alleged victims’ claims and suggest that they are lying. Waterhouse-Watson calls this a \"narrative immunity\" for footballers against allegations of sexual assault.
This book details how popular conceptions of masculinity and femininity inform the way footballers’ bodies, team bonding, women, sex and alcohol are portrayed in the media, and connects stories relating to the cases with sports reporting generally. Uncovering similar patterns of narrative, grammar and discourse across these distinct yet related fields, Waterhouse-Watson shows how these discourses are naturalised, with reports on the cases intertwining with broader discourses of football reporting to provide immunity. Despite the prevalence of stories that discredit the alleged victims, Waterhouse-Watson also examines attempts to counter these pervasive rape myths, articulating successful strategies and elucidating the limitations built into journalistic practices, and language itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\" about?
Since footballer sexual assault became top news in 2004, six years after the first case was reported, much has been written in the news media about individual cases, footballers and women who have sex with them. Deb Waterhouse-Watson reveals how media representations of recent sexual assault cases involving Australian footballers amount to \"trials by media\", trials that result in acquittal. The stories told about footballers and women in the news media evoke stereotypes such as the \"gold digger\", \"woman scorned\" and the \"predatory woman\", which cast doubt on the alleged victims’ claims and suggest that they are lying. Waterhouse-Watson calls this a \"narrative immunity\" for footballers against allegations of sexual assault.
This book details how popular conceptions of masculinity and femininity inform the way footballers’ bodies, team bonding, women, sex and alcohol are portrayed in the media, and connects stories relating to the cases with sports reporting generally. Uncovering similar patterns of narrative, grammar and discourse across these distinct yet related fields, Waterhouse-Watson shows how these discourses are naturalised, with reports on the cases intertwining with broader discourses of football reporting to provide immunity. Despite the prevalence of stories that discredit the alleged victims, Waterhouse-Watson also examines attempts to counter these pervasive rape myths, articulating successful strategies and elucidating the limitations built into journalistic practices, and language itself.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\"?
Sports and Active outdoor recreation > Sport: general
Where can I read a sample of Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\"?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781135123512
Is Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\" part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Routledge Research in Sport, Culture and Society
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\"?
Deb Waterhouse-Watson
Who is the Publisher of the book Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\"?
Taylor and Francis
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Athletes, Sexual Assault, and \"Trials by Media\" is available as ebook(ISBN 9781135123512) and pdf(ISBN 9781135123529)