West, Bethany (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Van Gilder, Bobbi (Weber State University: Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities, Communications)
Gendered language, and the way it dictates societal norms, has been a topic of interest for feminist scholars since the 1970's. However, gendered language and its connection with rape culture has yet to be explored, presenting a substantial gap in research. I researched the ways that language may influence and perpetuate rape culture by analyzing #MeToo stories, which are victim's accounts of being sexually assaulted. I focused on the specific language victims used to describe their sexual assault, such as sexist or gendered language. By analyzing the language used in sexual assault victims' stories, I drew connections between rape culture and gendered language. Many female victims emphasized that power differentials between them and their male attacker, such as being viewed as subordinate in their relationship with their attacker, played a significant role in their abuse. Other victims emphasized that social discourse normalized rape for women, and placed blame on victims rather than attackers. Victims also indicated that social norms regarding sexual assault asserted that only heterosexual women were victimized, silencing marginalized victims such as men and members of the LGBTQ community. Socially implicated stereotypes regarding gender and rape were found to create situations in which assault victims were silenced and further abused. By understanding and challenging the discourse regarding language, gender norms, and the roles that they play in sexual assault, society may be able to combat rape culture and those who are at risk for victimization.