When writing my thesis, I focused on the issue of sexual violence and sexual harassment, as well as the role of media in the shaping of public opinion about sexual harassment and sexual violence. In the theoretical part, I first delve into the basic definitions of violence, with an emphasis on sexual violence and sexual harassment. I explore theoretical perspectives from sociology and law, as well as the media’s role in the shaping of public opinion. I’m also interested in how public opinion affects legal responses to sexual violence and sexual harassment, as well as the impact of activist organizations on public perception. The empirical part is based on a qualitative analysis of media discourse from various media outlets. In the analysis, I specifically examined how the media approach victims of sexual harassment and their overall portrayal of sexual harassment in society. Notably, I investigated whether the reporting is event-driven or if attention is given to the systemic nature of the problem. My conclusion is that the media tend to individualize the issue of sexual violence and sexual harassment, thereby perpetuating established traditional gender roles with a patriarchal ideological foundation.
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