Rape Scenes

[Smack 0]

Alright so something has been bothering me lately and it's rape scenes on television and movies. I feel that movies/television should not be making profit out of a terrible thing like this. It's getting to the point that I see a rape scene everyday. And I don't even watch shows like CSI or Law and Order (I've watched at least 10 of these shows with my roommates just because they said I was missing great television), but I see them now just flipping through channels. And these types of shows have a whole series that are based on rapes. What the hell?

 

I can't even imagine how it feels to have actually been raped in real life and then to be enjoying a day at the movies watching say, 300 or the Hills Have Eyes or _ insert random rated r or even pg13 movie here_ or _same_... and then halfway through the movie a woman gets raped and then the memories...

 

One of my friends said, but why take these scenes out - you're just denying real life. But like who doesn't know that rape happens, it's been around forever, it's not a new occurrence in the history of mankind. We are all aware that rape happens and that it is something that we need to work to keep from happening but do we really need to see it everyday on television? I start to think that there are people that like seeing these kinds of things happening. My words to anyone who says they like Law and Order: SVU is "do you enjoy seeing people get raped? - that is all the show is about, right?" person:"well..." Now, I wouldn't mind seeing Public Service Announcements saying something like be aware of rape keep yourself safe or something but do I need to see it in ways where there are people just profiting on the act of rape? Where are the people trying to get rape off the screen, aren't the people who say video games are too violent and w.e. aware of this as well? I mean it's way more a big deal than video games...

[QuickGreen 0]

America is addicted to sex. Porn is a 8-billion dollar industry. Until something changes, I think rape scenes and sex scenes in general will stick around and always be there. Although I do agree with you when you say that people who have been raped must feel horrible when they see it on TV again. Kind of reliving their experience.That's America for you though. Money money money .

[Mermaid711 0]

I know that sometimes when people that have been raped see it on tv some of them start crying uncontrolably. It must bring back horrible memories for them. And you know in the movie Hound Dog it had a rape sceene where Dakota Fanning was the victim? I'm sorry she is my age, and she doesn't need to be exposed to such a horendous thing. I mean I've been sexually harrassed and it makes me feel horible- imagine going one step further.

[Smack 0]

And you know in the movie Hound Dog it had a rape sceene where Dakota Fanning was the victim? I'm sorry she is my age, and she doesn't need to be exposed to such a horendous thing. I mean I've been sexually harrassed and it makes me feel horible- imagine going one step further.

Well, IMO I don't think that was really a bad thing because she is old enough to separate a movie from reality. I don't think it will affect her in a bad way at all.

 

QuickGreen you're right and your name says it all haha. I remember even hearing a few months ago of a guy in Florida, I think, that raped his wife in some woods while filming it and then turned around and sold copies of the video. Sick.

[FolkRockFan 0]

Part of the movie and TV industry's job is to make us feel something for the characters. That's how they help us become absorbed in the movie or TV show. The more absorbed we are, the more we enjoy the thing - and the more likely we are to watch again. This of course means more money :unsure:When a character rapes somebody else, most of us label him as The Super Bad Guy. We want to see him get what's coming to him in the end. We're absorbed and actively involved in the movie/program. And that's what the people who produced, wrote, directed, etc. the thing want.Same thing when a character does something awesome, like solve an unsolvable crime or rescue somebody from a flaming car.

[Saint_Michael 3]

Which is true, but there are some things that go to far, I remember a article last year that talk about how violent regular TV shows have become, I am a BIG!! CSI fan and I have to admit there is some stuff that should get to graphic especially when the start cutting into people and open them up. Then of course the age factor, Dakota fanning has done a CSI character based on a rape episode and I wonder what she is thinking when she finds out she has to play this character who just been rape (do not show it of course. I wonder how most kids feel when they find out they are playing a rape victim real or fake, because if they don't do soul searching on something like that when they are acting on that role it makes me wonder if they are putting on a show or they being sincere about it.

[Carson 0]

Part of the movie and TV industry's job is to make us feel something for the characters. That's how they help us become absorbed in the movie or TV show.

I agree with you there FolkRockFan. I think rape scenes are necessary to the story, in most cases. Although there is a point where it does go overboard. However, before a movie, or a program on television, it does give a warning of any inappropriate content. In this country it does at least. Before the program is started, it will tell if it is for adults only, nudity etc. So, for people who just cant watch horrible things like rape scenes, they can simply not watch the program. It's the same with movies, and they do have an age restriction on them. So I am for rape scenes, because most times, they are important to the story. Edited April 30, 2007 by Carson (see edit history)

[Smack 0]

I agree with FolkRockFan too, that rape scenes do get us pulled into the movie more. But I do not in any way see them as needed. Some of the best movies do not have any rape scenes and I've been into the movie all the same. Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying rape scenes should be illegal or taken out of movies. I'm just saying they should become less common. I mean, what happens when we become desensitized to seeing rape? I don't even care anymore when I see a kid get killed on the big screen... or someone gets tortured like in Saw, it's all just stock now. FolkRockFan have you seen 300? That movie had everyone cheering when.. well. You need to see it.

Edited April 30, 2007 by Smack (see edit history)

[srujanlive 0]

America is addicted to sex. Porn is a 8-billion dollar industry. Until something changes, I think rape scenes and sex scenes in general will stick around and always be there. Although I do agree with you when you say that people who have been raped must feel horrible when they see it on TV again. Kind of reliving their experience.
That's America for you though. Money money money .

Funny you should say that . But it is not just the US , It is the whole world that is addicted to porn. That is the sort of tv nearly everywhere. Online porn is now the fuel of porn industry. Admit it. We are all resonsible.

[JasperIk 0]

I don't mind rape scenes. I mean I am not drawn to them, and I don't exactly enjoy them but they don't bother me. I know they are fake, and I know the actors are mature enough to handle it, just like 'normal' sex scenes. I think a rape seen, done right can act a lot of emotional impact to the story and there for should be left in. I know a lot of people have gotten offended by the Rape scene in The Rules Of Attraction, but I didn't. Rape isn't funny, but that scene wasn't exactly supposed to be taken in all seriousness. It's a lot like in the book actually. Plus the scene had a bit of a point, Lauren wanted to remain a virgin, and she managed to remain one until the end, when she was raped. (The beginning, is the end...). Then there is the rape in Boys Don't Cry. It does make me sad, because that movie is based on true events (which is why it also needed to be in there.) and it makes me sad because it happens to quite a few Female to Male transsexuals, they get raped by men. Which makes the whole thing so much more sad, but just because it's sad doesn't mean it needs to be taken out you know?My point is, rape doesn't bother me in movies, and I think if it bothers you, you can easily fast forward, or look away.

[Dagoth Nereviar 0]

As bad as rape is, and as traumatizing as it is for the victims, you can't not show something on TV. If you stop showing rape, then people will want you stop showing death, torture, 9/11, animals being mis-treated, and soon you will have a load of censorship, and TV will probably become even more monotomous (sp? ) and lame.If you don't believe me, watch the two south park episodes "Cartoon Wars Part 1" and "Cartoon Wars Part 2"

[-[Nero]- 0]

dagoth is right...if you can stop showing one thing, people will be wanting to stop loads of other stuff. =\ thats just how it is, while rape is something that some people find offensive, and it may makes rape victims recall their bad experiences..but the majority is still neutral or at least not against it. thats the way things are ><"options:1. bear with it2. don't watchthats about all you can do..

[Smack 0]

As bad as rape is, and as traumatizing as it is for the victims, you can't not show something on TV. If you stop showing rape, then people will want you stop showing death, torture, 9/11, animals being mis-treated, and soon you will have a load of censorship, and TV will probably become even more monotomous (sp? ) and lame.
If you don't believe me, watch the two south park episodes "Cartoon Wars Part 1" and "Cartoon Wars Part 2"

There is already a "load of censorship" on the television and what-not. Most of television is monotonous and lame as it is just the same few stories with different names and in different settings. Every reality television show, but let us not get started on reality t.v.

And JasperIk, how exactly is a person who has been raped supposed to fast forward the rape scene in a movie theater?

As said before, I am one that is definitely against censorship... I would just like to see the amount of rape scenes on television and in the movie theaters decrease.

And guys, the fact that rape scenes add to the emotion during a movie, shouldn't that go without saying? That's like saying the credits let you know who played who in the movie. Duh!

[JasperIk 0]

There is already a "load of censorship" on the television and what-not. Most of television is monotonous and lame as it is just the same few stories with different names and in different settings. Every reality television show, but let us not get started on reality t.v.
And JasperIk, how exactly is a person who has been raped supposed to fast forward the rape scene in a movie theater?

As said before, I am one that is definitely against censorship... I would just like to see the amount of rape scenes on television and in the movie theaters decrease.

And guys, the fact that rape scenes add to the emotion during a movie, shouldn't that go without saying? That's like saying the credits let you know who played who in the movie. Duh!

Well, i always check movies before i watch them to see what kind of scenes they have. They can always just stand up and walk out for the scene. I always hate animals getting murdered in movies, and i close my eyes at those scenes, or walk away/fast forward.

Rape scenes adding emotion to a movie, doesn't really make sense compared to credits in a movie...so um what?

[heavensounds 0]

Well it is simple! We should not make money out of naything like that, but hey that is exactly what sells best today! At the end, we-consumers are thos who support that industry. If we didn't buy all this movies and porn and watch is in cinemas and computers, the whole industry would go down very soon. If you feel that is is wrong that industries show that sort of violence, you shouldn't watch it and tell your friends not to watch it and all the world not to watch it - just think about what your sucess rate would be? In my opinion, not very high! So, it is right that you are crittical to this stuff, but be sure not to bother yourself too much with problems like this, because it will only attach you to them and the result will be your unhappiness!Best whishes