Does Love Forgive Everything? Sexual Assault as an Attack Which Is Normalized in Turkish Television Series

Abstract

Encroachment, which can generally be defined as appropriation of the other’s right, comes first as one of the most traumatic incidents among sexual crimes. When the statistical data about rape are examined in Turkey, it is seen that the ratios of rape incidents are at an extent that cannot be underestimated. The problem of rape is covered in some series which are broadcast on TV and popular among wide range of audience in Turkey. Fatmagul’unSucu Ne?, Oyle Bir Gecer Zaman Ki and Iffet, which are among these series, are chosen as the sample in this study. Since it is certainly one of the important functions of media to raise awareness of the public, dealing with rape in series and films as a social problem is usual and even crucial. However, the basic issue here is how this incident is handled and what kind of message is given to the audience, who takes the main characters as model. The aim of this study is to explore how the rape incidents are covered and how the solution is reached in these aforementioned series. In this study, these three television series are examined through purposeful sampling method and also, the answers to the questions mentioned as the aims of this study are analyzed through a feminist perspective. As a result of this analysis, it has been found out that even though rape incident is one of the worst events a woman can experience in these series, it is turned into a crime that can be forgiven and the reason of forgiving is love.