Representations of Aboriginal women and their sexuality

Abstract

In historical literature and print media, Aboriginal women have been represented as either victims of (Indigenous or non-Indigenous) male brutality and sexual attention, or as sexually promiscuous. This thesis explores these representations and the extent to which they prevail in contemporary media. Theoretically this thesis draws on Michel Foucault’s (1990a; 1990b; 1990c) discursive analysis framework to investigate representations of Aboriginal women in historical and contemporary discourses and the consequences for Aboriginal women. Thus I presented an analysis of contemporary media representations focused on the sexual violence and exploitation of Aboriginal women and girls, for evidence of the ways in which they reflect colonial discourses. I also carried out a critical evaluation of academic representations of Aboriginal women, to highlight the role some academics have unwittingly played in reinforcing colonial stereotypes. This thesis demonstrates the damaging effect that such representations continue to have on the ability of Aboriginal women and girls to receive justice when raped. This thesis highlights the need for new processes when representing Aboriginal women, particularly the need to use history to move beyond representation to inclusive collaborative processes.