The original post: /r/iama by /u/emmagerdy on 2024-12-12 18:30:39.

Original Title: Hi Reddit - Ask Me Anything! I Am Emma Gerding, and I am a communication graduate student at The University of Cincinnati. I am currently studying rape culture and how discourse is presented through terminology and victim blaming.


Hi Reddit, I am a graduate student at The University of Cincinnati.

For my final project in my Social Justice class, I was tasked with creating a research proposal that can also engage with the public. I proposed an analysis of rape culture using a social constructionism framework to understand the current public perception of rape, including victim blaming language and the responsibility of rape perpetrators.

My research currently focuses on:

  • Rape terminology that reinforces victim blaming like “Gray Rape,” “Real Rape,” and “The 5 Rape Myths.”
  • How rape culture can be addressed to resolve victim blaming through a survivor centered approach from improved legislature.
  • What effects the media and public figures of authority (politicians) have on the perceived responsibility of rapists.
  • Challenging the notion of the “Ideal” rape victim and the commonsense standpoint created that implies women should make themselves “unrapable.”

In terms of completing this research, I plan to code a thematic analysis based on results that come from the performed focus groups over a one-year timeline. I also have a guideline created that details privacy for participants as well as the ethical concerns I foresee throughout this study.

Proof: https://postimg.cc/nMRJhszP

https://preview.redd.it/ofm9y5t5ng6e1.jpg?width=1472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3cd6aa31b174881a58d8d0f437667564e11ec970

I will be here on 12/12 from 2 pm - 4 pm to answer any questions or discuss my research! Thank you!