Study accuses Hollywood of waging genuine ‘war on women’ through TV violence

A new study from the Media Research Center cites some Hollywood hypocrisy when it comes to popular TV programming. Though studio management and stars alike speak out against issues like domestic violence, the programming doesn’t back up the sentiment. The research revealed 129 acts of violence against women in a single week of primetime TV shows.

“It’s just lip service. Hollywood sells violence against women as entertainment on practically every drama on network television,” writes Kristine Marsh, who covers cultural issues for the watchdog group. “News outlets criticize the Right for alleged attacks on women. In reality, liberal Hollywood is home for incredibly violent and shocking depictions of violence against women.”

Analysts monitored 56 hours of evening hour programming on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW from Monday, Feb. 2, through Sunday, Feb. 8. That covered 65 shows; only scripted, fictional content was counted. Reality television, movies, sports and award ceremonies were not studied.

“The results were especially alarming, given Hollywood’s attempts to curtail violence against women,” says Ms. Marsh. “In one week, there were 129 acts of violence against women depicted on television. Women were punched, grabbed, thrown, tossed down stairs and shot at. Guns were put to their heads, their necks were snapped, they were run over by cars and crushed by evil magic that made their eyes bleed. All in the name of ’drama’.”

“For an industry that claims to be against violence and presents itself as champions of women, Hollywood’s messaging clearly does not match its programming,” Ms. Marsh points out, noting that actors Daniel Craig and Steve Carell told audiences in a White House-issued anti-violence campaign, ’We have a big problem,” and called for a stop to violence against women. President Obama also weighed in on the problem during the recent Grammy broadcast.

“Isn’t it about time that Hollywood start taking it’s own advice and stop using violence against women as a form of entertainment?” asks Ms. Marsh.