INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
The advancement of technology has transformed human communication, with social media playing a crucial role in daily interactions Facebook stands out as the most popular platform, attracting more daily users than Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn (Greenwood, Perrin & Duggan, 2016; Capua, 2012) This platform enables individuals to connect and share information instantly, overcoming geographical barriers Users can easily read news articles, express their opinions, and engage with online communities that share similar interests The growing use of Facebook for online interaction has piqued researchers' interest, prompting studies on how individuals communicate and address issues in digital spaces (Capua, 2012; Wilson, Gosling & Graham, 2012).
Billboard is a prominent global music media brand established in 1995 by Prometheus Global Media, offering a wide range of music charts, breaking news, videos, interviews, and artist insights It effectively engages industry leaders and music enthusiasts through platforms like Billboard Magazine, Billboard Conferences, and Billboard.com, reaching millions annually The Billboard Facebook fan page, launched on May 9, 2009, has garnered significant attention, amassing over 11.9 million likes and 12.6 million followers by October 25, 2019.
From 2014 to 2016, Billboard's Facebook fanpage provided regular updates on the legal case between American singer Kesha Rose Sebert, known as Kesha, and her music producer Dr Luke, whom she sued in 2014.
Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald (also known as Dr Luke), claiming that she was
For nearly a decade, she endured sexual, physical, verbal, and emotional abuse after signing a contract with Dr Luke In her lawsuit filed on October 14, 2014, she accused him of coercing her into consuming substances he referred to as "sober pills," followed by an alleged rape.
Dr Luke filed a countersuit against Kesha, alleging she was trying to escape their contract In June 2015, he won a ruling that paused Kesha's lawsuit Kesha later amended her case, claiming that Sony Music Entertainment was aware of and concealed Dr Luke's sexual assaults against her and other female artists, and sought to be released from her contract to create her own music However, in April 2016, New York Judge Shirley Kornreich dismissed Kesha's sexual assault claims The ongoing legal battle has garnered significant public attention, as evidenced by high engagement on Billboard's Facebook posts about the case, with likes ranging from 4,000 to 40,000, and numerous shares and comments This has sparked widespread discussions on sexual assault, motivating further exploration of public sentiment on the issue.
Statement of research problem and questions
Historically, sexual assault cases and their victims were often normalized due to entrenched gender inequality and patriarchal values, fostering the acceptance of "rape myths" (Paulson, 2018) Today, social networking sites enable individuals to access information and engage in open discussions about these critical issues However, despite increased awareness of human rights and equality, many still perpetuate and share rape myths, often trivializing sexual assault through humor Research indicates that rape culture and myths are prevalent in mass media, including news (O’Hara, 2012), television (Kahlor & Eastin, 2011), and platforms like Twitter (Stubbs-Richardson, Rader & Cosby, 2018) Yet, there is limited understanding of how attitudes toward rape cases are expressed on Facebook, despite its vast user base.
This research investigates the representations of rape myths and rape culture in Facebook discussions surrounding the sexual assault case involving Kesha and Dr Luke on the Billboard fan page, focusing on content from October 2014 to February 2016.
To be specific, the study aims to answer two questions:
1 How do Facebook users respond and discuss sexual assault in the case of Kesha and Dr Luke under posts on Billboard fanpage?
2 How are rape myths and rape culture reflected in Facebook users’ responses towards sexual assault and its victims?
Scope of the study
The study analyzes 1,000 comments from four Billboard Facebook posts regarding Kesha's lawsuit against Dr Luke, highlighting the diverse opinions expressed by users on the case.
The selected posts feature comments that garnered significant attention from Facebook users, measured by likes, shares, and comments through Billboard's search tab for topic-related keywords Comments are chosen based on their relevance to the post content and their reflection of users' opinions on sexual assault, both in general and regarding the specific case Irrelevant comments that do not address the issue are excluded from the analysis.
Significance of the study
This study aims to analyze public reactions on social media, specifically Facebook, to the sexual assault lawsuit involving Kesha and Dr Luke The findings will provide insights into societal perceptions of sexual assault and its survivors, highlighting connections to prevalent rape myths and the broader context of rape culture.
This research aims to address gaps in the literature regarding the complexities of sexual assault and public reactions to rape myths and rape culture within social media Additionally, it seeks to provide valuable insights and establish a foundation for future investigations into this critical issue.
Organization
The research is divided into five chapters
The first chapter offers essential background information for the study, highlighting the widespread influence of social media networks in contemporary life It introduces the context of Billboard and its Facebook fan page, alongside the specific case of Kesha and Dr Luke Furthermore, this chapter outlines the research problems and questions, defines the scope and significance of the study, and presents the organization of the research.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as illegal physical contact of a sexual nature that occurs without consent, often affecting individuals who are unable to provide consent due to age or mental health issues, or those in vulnerable positions of trust The range of conduct can include intentional fondling, unwanted touching, and sexual intercourse According to the Office on Women’s Health, sexual assault encompasses various forms of misconduct, including sexual harassment, threats, rape, attempted rape, coerced penetration, drug-facilitated assaults, and child abuse.
Sexual assault is a traumatic event that profoundly impacts survivors, often leading to issues such as depression, low self-esteem, flashbacks, fear, and difficulties with intimacy (Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape [PCAR], n.d.) Many survivors struggle to express their feelings during the assault, as doing so may heighten their risk of further harm In some instances, attempts to resist, such as saying "no," may feel ineffective in preventing the attack Consequently, silence often becomes the only option available to victims of sexual assault (Rosenbloom).
According to the U.S Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN, 2019), approximately 433,648 individuals aged twelve or older are victims of sexual assault in the U.S each year, with at least one in six women and one in 33 men experiencing attempted or completed rape in their lifetime Despite these alarming statistics, only a small percentage of survivors report their assaults, with reporting rates ranging from 1% to 59% Research indicates that sexual assaults by non-partners are less frequently reported than those by intimate partners Factors contributing to underreporting include a lack of support from authorities, feelings of shame, and fears of retaliation, disbelief, and social stigma Understanding the dynamics of sexual assault and the societal responses that influence victims' feelings of shame and fear is crucial for improving reporting rates and support systems.
Gender roles
Gender roles, or sex roles, are socially constructed expectations that dictate behaviors, attitudes, and psychological traits deemed appropriate for individuals based on their biological sex (Gochman, 2013) These roles are established during the socialization process influenced by societal norms (Anderson & Doherty, 1997) Alters and Schiff (2009) highlight that gender roles are often framed around masculinity and femininity Hofstede (2001) notes that in masculine cultures, males are expected to be tough and ambitious, focusing on material success, while females are viewed as nurturing and concerned with non-material aspects of life Conversely, in feminine cultures, gender roles are more fluid, allowing men to be less assertive and to show respect for the vulnerable.
Gender roles exert an influence on people’s behaviours and beliefs about themselves, encompassing sexual behaviours (Anderson & Doherty, 1997, p 303)
Traditionally, men are expected to take the lead in sexual encounters, displaying aggression and dominance, while women are often seen as passive participants (Jenkins & Dambrot, 2006) Research by Burt (1980) highlights a link between these conventional gender roles and societal attitudes toward rape.
Both genders adopt normative gender role behaviors during sexual interactions, which can foster sexually aggressive actions and contribute to a hostile environment characterized by the acceptance of rape myths and false sexual beliefs Research indicates that traditional gender roles are significant predictors of prejudices against rape victims, as highlighted by studies from Burt (1980) and Lonsway & Fitzgerald (1995).
Research indicates that sexism, rooted in gender role stereotypes, significantly contributes to victim blaming in rape cases There are two main forms of sexist attitudes: hostile sexism and benevolent sexism Hostile sexism encompasses negative views towards women who defy traditional sexual roles, suggesting that women dressed provocatively or engaging in excessive drinking deserve punishment Conversely, benevolent sexism idealizes women as pure and innocent, advocating for the protection of those who adhere to conventional femininity According to Glick and Fiske, individuals with sexist beliefs categorize women into "good" and "bad" types, where those who do not conform to gender roles are more likely to be blamed for sexual assault and seen as deserving of such violence.
Previous research highlights the connection between gender roles and victim blaming, along with the acceptance of rape myths Further exploration is crucial to understand how traditional gender roles influence individuals' reactions to sexual assault victims on social media platforms.
Rape myths
Rape mythology, introduced by the feminist movement in the 1970s, refers to the prejudiced and false beliefs surrounding rape, rapists, and victims These myths perpetuate stereotypes that distort the understanding of sexual violence and its impact on society.
217) Despite being generally wrong, the false attitudes and beliefs of rape are widely and consistently spread and used to “deny and justify male aggression toward women” (Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994, p 134)
Numerous studies have explored prevalent rape myths, with one of the most common being the misconception that a victim's clothing can provoke sexual assault, suggesting that individuals are to blame for their own victimization based on their attire (Burt, 1980; Hayes).
Rape myths, such as the belief that victims frequently "lie about rape," are widely accepted in society (Lorenz & Bell, 2013; Payne, Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1999) This misconception often manifests as the idea that "women falsely allege rape for compensation or for attention" (Yancey-Martin, Reynolds & Keith, 2002) Other prevalent myths include the notion that "she asked for it" (Burt, 1980; Payne, Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1999), highlighting the pervasive misunderstanding surrounding sexual assault.
“Women got rape deserved it” (Burt, 1980); “He didn’t mean to” (Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994; West & Zimmerman, 1987)
Rape myths are closely linked to traditional gender roles, which can lead to the acceptance of interpersonal aggression and misunderstandings about sexual assault (Burt, 1980) This acceptance of rape myths is significantly associated with societal gender inequality and patriarchal beliefs (Paulson, 2018; Levine, 2018).
In many cultures, men are often valued more than women, leading to a power imbalance that favors male control (Deutsch, 2007) Patriarchy emphasizes gender as a key factor in structuring social relations, reinforcing hierarchical dominance and power dynamics (Hunnicutt, 2009) Rape myths, such as "Boys will be boys," serve to excuse male perpetrators, aligning their behavior with societal expectations of masculinity (West & Zimmerman, 1987) Conversely, female victims are frequently blamed for not adhering to traditional gender roles, with phrases like "She asked for it" reflecting this bias (Stubbs-Richardson, Rader & Cosby, 2018) Furthermore, the acceptance of rape myths contributes to misconceptions about false allegations and undermines the legitimacy of victims' experiences (Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994).
Social media platforms serve as a significant space for public discourse on rape myths, which are prevalent in both news articles and social networking sites (O’Hara, 2012; Stubbs-Richardson et al., 2018; Kosloski et al., 2018) Headlines that support these myths can lead to a reduced likelihood of guilty verdicts for accused perpetrators and foster rape-supportive attitudes among readers (Pennington & Birthisel, 2015) Research indicates that Internet users often express victim-blaming views on platforms like Twitter, where rape myths are actively promoted (Kosloski et al., 2018) However, Stubbs-Richardson et al (2018) found that Twitter can also challenge the acceptance of certain rape myths, such as "rape is a deviant act" and "she asked for it." Therefore, further investigation is needed to explore the prevalence of rape myths in comment threads related to sexual assault cases on major social networks like Facebook.
METHODOLOGY
Data sample and data collection
I conducted a search for the keywords "Sexual Assault," "Kesha," and "Dr Luke" on the Billboard fan page, uncovering eight public posts that documented the case from October 14, 2014, to February 23, 2016 For analysis, I selected four posts from each year that garnered the highest engagement in terms of likes, shares, and comments.
On October 15, 2014, the post titled "Report: Kesha suing Dr Luke for alleged sexual assault and emotional abuse" garnered significant attention, amassing 40,000 likes, 2,900 shares, and 2,500 comments The article highlights Kesha's legal battle against her producer, aiming to reclaim her musical and personal autonomy, as detailed in her lawyer's statement An exclusive copy of the lawsuit published by Billboard alleges that Kesha was coerced into substance use and subsequently sexually assaulted by Dr Luke, who responded by filing a countersuit against her.
On June 18, 2015, the article titled “Dr Luke wins halt to Kesha’s sexual abuse lawsuit” garnered significant attention, receiving 3,600 likes, 47 shares, and 88 comments The judge's decision to pause Kesha's lawsuit marked a setback for her, as it was linked to her contract with Dr Luke and Sony Despite this, her allegations of sexual harassment and gender violence were acknowledged by the court.
On February 23, 2016, a post titled "Kesha’s Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Dr Luke" gained significant attention, amassing 4,700 likes, 218 shares, and 112 comments The article chronicles Kesha's journey from her collaboration with Dr Luke to the subsequent loss of control over her music and life, providing an in-depth analysis of the details surrounding her lawsuit against the producer.
On February 23, 2016, Dr Luke addressed allegations made by Kesha in a Twitter post, stating, “I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her,” while emphasizing their long-standing friendship Amidst their ongoing legal battle, he accused those supporting Kesha of being motivated by financial gain and claimed that many comments were made without factual knowledge The post garnered significant engagement, with 4,300 likes, 112 shares, and 366 comments, and highlighted the support Kesha received from notable female artists like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Demi Lovato, who expressed their solidarity through tweets and donations.
This study analyzes text comments related to sexual assault, focusing on Kesha's case, collected from four Facebook posts using iClick - Get Comment Facebook Only relevant comments expressing users' opinions were selected, prioritizing those ranked as "Most relevant" by Facebook, which filters out spam The analysis included comments made within a day of posting, along with their replies, while omitting irrelevant contributions such as stickers, emojis, or friend tags In total, 731 comments were gathered from the first post about Kesha suing Dr Luke, along with 50 from the second post regarding Dr Luke's legal victory, and 64 from the third post.
Kesha's sexual assault lawsuit against Dr Luke has sparked significant public interest, with a total of 1,000 comments across four posts discussing the case In a recent statement, Dr Luke firmly denied the allegations, asserting, "I didn’t rape Kesha and I have never had sex with her." The ongoing discourse highlights the complexities surrounding the legal battle and its impact on both Kesha and Dr Luke's careers.
FINDINGS
The netizens’ support for Kesha
The comment thread reveals a significant majority of support for Kesha and sexual assault victims, with over 50% of the 1,000 comments (569 comments) expressing solidarity with those affected.
Approximately 11% of the total 114 comments challenge rape jokes, while over 21% (213 comments) focus on debunking rape myths Additionally, 116 comments from survivors sharing their personal experiences represent more than 11% of all comments Furthermore, nearly one third of the comments, totaling 302, provide insights into the complexities surrounding sexual assault.
85 comments that express hatred towards the perpetrator
4.2.1 Rape is not something to joke
While only a small minority of comments find rape jokes amusing, with one user stating, “I love that joke!! Like, come on, each one of her songs is about random hooks and not remembering where you were!!!” (Owens), it highlights the controversial nature of such humor and its impact on societal attitudes towards serious issues.
Many Facebook users have expressed their outrage over jokes about sexual assault, as evidenced by 114 comments reflecting their dissatisfaction Comments such as Andrew's "comment of the year," Kim's laughter until tears, and Kyle's critique of those pretending to be social justice warriors highlight the absurdity of making light of such serious issues These reactions underscore a strong opposition to rape jokes and emphasize the importance of respectful discourse regarding sensitive topics.
A joke can be a joke, Hunter But when it comes down to a topic that no one is taking seriously AT ALL, that’s where you draw the line
Making jokes about rape is unacceptable, especially when they undermine the seriousness of the trauma While Kesha may choose to use humor to cope, it's crucial to recognize when such jokes become harmful, particularly if they hinder her ability to seek justice The line is crossed when humor overshadows the need for support and leads to legal action Understanding this distinction is essential.
Donald firmly opposes the notion that making jokes about serious issues like rape is acceptable, emphasizing that such humor trivializes a grave problem He distinguishes between light-hearted jokes and those that touch on sensitive subjects like rape, stating that humor is only appropriate if the person making the joke feels comfortable discussing it If the individual has not received the necessary support, then the joke loses its comedic value and becomes inappropriate.
The issue at hand is the troubling blurring of lines between humor and serious situations, particularly regarding sexual abuse A male friend of mine, who was a victim of rape, faced ridicule when seeking help and a restraining order, highlighting the serious consequences of dismissing such matters as mere jokes While humor has its place, making jokes about sensitive topics like sexual assault can lead to real harm, as it may prevent individuals from receiving the support they need My perspective comes from personal experiences with abuse and witnessing the struggles of others in similar situations It’s crucial to recognize when humor is inappropriate, especially in the context of trauma.
In his second comment, Donald emphasizes the gravity of joking about sexual assault, sharing a personal story about a male friend who was raped and ridiculed in court while seeking help and a restraining order He clarifies that the issue lies not in humor itself, but in the inappropriate timing of such jokes, particularly when a victim is reaching out for assistance.
Negative comments about artists often stem from hypocrisy, as many critics don't understand the complexities of their lifestyles Music is a form of expression, and it's crucial to approach sensitive topics like rape with seriousness and respect Joking about such issues is harmful, and it's important to recognize the gravity of these experiences Let's foster a more compassionate dialogue rather than spreading negativity.
She is lucky it wasn't someone who was going to torture her (Amy)
In her ironic tone, Amy criticizes "negative people" who make or support rape jokes, labeling them as "hypocrites." She highlights the discrepancy between Kesha's song lyrics and her real-life experiences, emphasizing that outsiders lack insight into her true lifestyle Consequently, making jokes based on assumptions about her music and behavior is misguided and inappropriate.
Comment writers opposing rape jokes agree that while humor is a normal part of life, mocking serious issues like sexual assault is both inappropriate and offensive Joking about such topics can deter victims from speaking out and seeking the help they need These discussions reflect a broader support for Kesha and highlight the need to challenge rape culture, emphasizing the importance of defending women's rights and voices in society.
The article highlights the prevalence of harmful myths surrounding sexual assault, specifically the notions that "Women who are raped deserved it," "She asked for it," and "She lied about it." These myths have been debunked numerous times, with the first myth being challenged 52 times, the second 50 times, and the third a significant 105 times This data underscores the importance of addressing and dismantling these misconceptions to promote a better understanding of sexual violence.
Rape is unequivocally unacceptable, and no individual deserves to be a victim of sexual assault, regardless of their gender, race, appearance, behavior, or past sexual history It is crucial to challenge and reject any myths surrounding rape, emphasizing that all victims deserve support and understanding.
No one deserves it and no one is asking for it The fact that she
WASN'T asking for it indicates that it's assault! Only yes means yes
I'm glad she's standing up, that must be so difficult knowing that so many people still victim blame and are heartless A.F I can't believe they are saying stuff like that either
And only yes means yes Inability to consent is lack of consent It's
It is fundamentally incorrect to suggest that anyone is "asking for it," as the essence of the crime itself indicates that the victim did not solicit such behavior Abigail's courage in speaking out is commendable, particularly in a society that often perpetuates victim-blaming.
Abigail emphasizes the critical role of consent in sexual assault cases, asserting that no one deserves to be raped and that the victim is never at fault She highlights that it is unimaginable for a victim to invite such an act, reinforcing that the nature of crime, particularly sexual assault, is rooted in the absence of consent Her statement, “Only yes means yes,” underscores that sexual intercourse is only permissible when it is fully consensual.
Even if a woman willingly takes a hand full of pills, and drinks an entire 5th of Jack, and flirts with a man, and wears slutty clothing
THAT STILL DOES NOT EQUAL CONSENT!!! Some of you boys think the world is yours for the taking and you need a wakeup call (Sarah)
Waiting for the law and legal system
Many Facebook users express a neutral perspective, advocating for patience as they await the decisions from the legal system This viewpoint is reflected in 119 comments, accounting for over 11% of the total responses Examples of such comments emphasize the importance of allowing the law to take its course.
In the current situation, it's clear that one of the two parties involved is not being truthful, but the truth remains uncertain Rather than allowing social media to influence the outcome, we should trust the court system to make an informed decision.
William suggests that the narrative surrounding Kesha and Dr Luke may have been fabricated by either party, emphasizing that Facebook users are outsiders lacking the full story He advocates for allowing the court system to determine the outcome, rather than relying on social media to influence the decision.
I remain neutral in this situation, as there are potential motives at play for her, and it's crucial to remember that he is innocent until proven guilty Additionally, opinions from friends may be biased due to their personal interests.
Gwen expresses a neutral stance, choosing not to align with either party involved She suggests that the singer may have ulterior motives, indicating that "she has something to gain," while also implying that the producer's past actions could influence the current situation, stating, "he may have done something in the past."
The principle of "innocent till proven guilty" suggests that Facebook users should refrain from assigning blame until the court reaches a verdict Additionally, Gwen highlights "conflict of interests" as a factor that renders the opinions of both individuals' friends unreliable.
Memories of traumatic incidents can often remain hidden and may not emerge until much later, leading to conditions like PTSD The complexities of such experiences are difficult to assess, especially since none of us witnessed the events firsthand Our legal system is built on a foundation that seeks to address these challenges.
The Magna Carta guarantees the right to a trial, which is crucial if charges are brought against him Both parties may not be truthful, and making assumptions is unwise Overall, the entire situation is unfortunate.
Kesha and Dr Luke are the only individuals who truly understand the events that transpired between them, leaving the public in a state of uncertainty regarding the truth With one of them potentially being dishonest and neither willing to reveal the truth, it's clear that we lack sufficient information to make a fair judgment about the situation.
Everybody is so quick to judge but none of y'all actually know these people well enough to make a rational estimate about the situation
In a dispute where one party claims an event occurred while the other denies it, there is insufficient evidence to determine who is truthful The circumstances imply that the woman may be attempting to escape a contractual obligation, though it's possible the man could have acted inappropriately Ultimately, a fair judgment should await the court's decision, and others should refrain from forming opinions until then.
Towards the case of Kesha and Dr Luke, Jarvis tacitly criticizes people for making a quick judgment without fully understanding the people involved in the situation
Jarvis aligns with William's view that one character in the story is honest; however, he emphasizes that Facebook users often only skim the details of the case through social media.
The commenters emphasize the importance of refraining from making assumptions about who is lying, urging others to await the court's decisions before assigning responsibility in the case.
We should focus on supporting her rather than speculating about the situation It's essential to allow the legal process to take its course By offering our support, we can help reduce the negativity she is already facing.
Marrie expresses her support for Kesha while refraining from placing blame on Dr Luke, emphasizing the importance of allowing the legal system to address the situation She urges others to refrain from perpetuating negativity around the case and to focus on constructive dialogue.
“things we could only speculate”
Many Facebook users advise against jumping to conclusions about the situation, emphasizing the importance of waiting for the legal system's findings, as reflected in 119 out of 1,000 comments, which accounts for 11.9% of the total.
DISCUSSION
Social media platforms have become a significant space for discussions surrounding sexual assault, particularly in the context of the Kesha and Dr Luke case This study explores Facebook users' reactions to this case on the Billboard fan page, focusing on how these responses reflect prevalent rape myths and the broader culture of rape.
A recent analysis of comments revealed that over half (569 comments) were supportive of the victim, while approximately one-third (312 comments) displayed victim-blaming attitudes, and over 11% (119 comments) maintained a neutral stance This data indicates that Facebook users tend to show more support for the victim compared to blaming her, contrasting with the findings of Stubbs-Richardson et al (2018), which suggested that tweets blaming victims received more followers and retweets than those supporting victims.
The qualitative analysis reveals three significant patterns in people's responses: a tendency towards victim blaming, a strong support for the victim among netizens, and a reliance on the legal system to address the situation.
The study highlights the pervasive issue of victim blaming within rape culture, revealing that victims often face accusations of making false claims, which can lead to the wrongful condemnation of perpetrators This aligns with findings by Lonsway and Fitzgerald (1994), indicating that victims are frequently not recognized as the true victims of rape Furthermore, the research clarifies that the blame placed on victims for "crying rape" is often rooted in perceptions of their personal motivations, such as seeking money, fame, or attention.
The study reveals that gender roles play a crucial role in fostering victim-blaming attitudes, particularly through the use of rape jokes This sexism manifests in hostile and sarcastic responses that attribute blame to victims for not adhering to traditional gender norms, such as wearing provocative clothing or consuming alcohol These findings align with earlier research conducted by Burt (1980) and Lonsway.
According to Fitzgerald (1995), traditional gender roles contribute to a negative blaming attitude towards rape victims This perspective aligns with Glick and Fiske's (1996) hypothesis, which suggests that categorizing women as either "good" or "bad" perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces victim-blaming.
The stereotype that "bad" girls are often held accountable for negative events, particularly sexual assault, perpetuates harmful beliefs that contribute to rape culture This mindset unjustly suggests that women bear responsibility for the violence inflicted upon them, reinforcing societal attitudes that excuse perpetrators and blame victims.
The public's response reveals a strong supportive attitude towards Kesha and rape victims overall, with victim-supporting comments dominating the discussion This perspective is evident in more than half of the comment threads across four posts, highlighting the community's empathy and solidarity with survivors.
Research has shown that social media can perpetuate rape culture and the acceptance of rape myths (Stubbs-Richardson et al., 2018; Pennington & Birthisel, 2015; O’Hara, 2012; McCann et al., 2010) For instance, McCann, Plummer, and Minichiello (2010) highlighted how jokes on these platforms can exacerbate sexual assault However, this study reveals that social networking sites like Facebook can also serve as effective tools in combating rape culture Commenters strongly oppose rape jokes, arguing that they trivialize the severity of sexual assault and may discourage victims from seeking help Additionally, those who make light of sexual assault are criticized for their assumptions about victims, often without knowing the full story.
This research reveals that Facebook users actively challenge prevalent rape myths, specifically the notions that "women who are raped deserved it," "she asked for it," and "she lied about it." Participants emphasize that no one deserves to be raped and highlight the importance of consent in sexual activities, asserting that a victim's behavior or identity does not imply consent Additionally, the findings indicate that netizens believe there are no valid reasons for falsely accusing someone of rape This aligns with the work of Stubbs-Richardson et al (2018), which debunked similar myths, and underscores the detrimental effects of victim blaming and slut shaming, as these attitudes discourage victims from coming forward, supporting the claims of Garcia-Moreno, Guedes, and Knerr (2012) regarding the fear of being blamed.
The study highlights that sexual assault survivors combat victim blaming by sharing their personal stories, fostering empathy among commenters Facebook users elaborate on the complexities surrounding sexual assault, which often deter victims from reporting incidents due to the lack of physical evidence, psychological trauma, and coercion This aligns with Garcia-Moreno, Guedes, and Knerr's (2012) findings on factors influencing a victim's decision to report, such as inadequate support from authorities and feelings of shame or fear of disbelief The hashtag #FreeKesha exemplifies digital activism against sexual assault, supporting the research by Horeck (2014) and Manikonda et al (2018) Additionally, the negative sentiment towards Dr Luke and rapists in general challenges the hegemonic masculinity theory that portrays men as dominant figures in sexual violence (Burnett, 2016; Paulson, 2018).
The study reveals a neutral perspective among Facebook users characterized by the theme "Waiting for the law and legal system," where individuals advocate for awaiting legal outcomes rather than making assumptions or assigning blame on social media This neutral stance, particularly in discussions surrounding rape, enhances the understanding of Facebook netizens' views on sexual assault The findings from the themes "The netizen’s support for Kesha" and "Waiting for the law and legal system" indicate a transformation in the discourse surrounding rape and sexual assault, as well as a shift in the perception of rape culture and myths on social networking platforms.
The ongoing case has yet to reach a final decision, making it difficult to identify the true victim However, social media comments indicate a prevailing sentiment among netizens that Kesha is viewed as the victim, reflecting a societal stance against rape, rape culture, and associated myths Notably, Facebook users tend to express more support for the victim rather than blame, as evidenced by the higher volume of supportive comments This research highlights the reasoning behind people's perspectives on victims and perpetrators, applicable not only to Kesha's situation but also to sexual assault cases more broadly.
CONCLUSION
The study investigated rape myths and rape culture through Facebook discussions surrounding the Kesha and Dr Luke case, revealing netizens' reactions to this specific incident and sexual assault more broadly The findings indicate that both rape myths and rape culture are evident in the comments, particularly through victim-blaming and the challenge to these harmful beliefs Three key patterns emerged from the study, addressing two critical questions related to the discourse.
1 How do Facebook users respond and discuss sexual assault in the case of Kesha and Dr Luke under posts on Billboard fanpage?
2 How is rape myths and rape culture reflected in Facebook users’ responses and attitudes towards sexual assault and its victims?
Victim blaming remains a significant issue, with nearly one-third of comments (312 comments) reflecting such attitudes towards survivors like Kesha, who face accusations of dishonesty, as seen in statements like, "She lied about it." Additionally, nonconformity to traditional gender roles often fuels victim blaming, with remarks such as, "She asked for it," highlighting the societal tendency to shift responsibility away from the perpetrator.
A slight majority of Facebook users, totaling 569 comments (56.9%), express support for Kesha by debunking rape jokes and myths, sharing personal stories of sexual assault, and providing insights into the complexities of these issues Through their comments, they demonstrate empathy and aim to raise awareness about the seriousness of sexual assault while expressing contempt for Dr Luke.
A study reveals that Facebook users maintain a neutral stance regarding legal cases, refraining from taking sides with either victims or perpetrators The findings suggest that bystanders, who are not directly involved in these situations, should avoid making assumptions on social media platforms.
The study revealed that over 50% of comments support the victim, indicating a predominant tendency among commenters to advocate for the victim rather than place blame on them.
This research enhances our understanding of public attitudes towards sexual assault as expressed on Facebook, revealing how individuals articulate their views through language, such as humor and personal stories The findings build on existing literature by providing insights into victim-blaming and victim-supporting attitudes Additionally, Facebook serves as a valuable platform for examining real-world depictions of rape myths and rape culture, which may be challenging to observe in other contexts The significant engagement on posts, evidenced by high comment and share rates, indicates that users leverage this social network to disseminate information about sexual assault and challenge harmful myths Ultimately, this study is crucial for raising awareness about the complexities surrounding sexual assault and the influence of Facebook on public perceptions.
The comments analyzed represent only a subset of societal opinions on sexual assault, limiting the generalizability of the findings While social media platforms like Facebook facilitate the expression of ideas, they lack the ability to convey non-verbal cues present in face-to-face interactions, such as gestures and body language (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2009) Additionally, access to Facebook data is restricted, as the platform's algorithms prioritize certain comments, potentially excluding relevant contributions Facebook's policy allows administrators to remove sensitive or offensive content, complicating the collection of data for analysis Consequently, the results of this study should be approached with caution.
Future researchers must explore innovative methods to access data from social media platforms, especially given their significant impact on narratives surrounding critical issues like sexual assault Understanding how sites like Facebook shape public opinions and attitudes is becoming increasingly essential for both researchers and practitioners It is vital to investigate the discussions that emerge when more sexual assault cases are considered and to identify any factors that influence netizens' mindsets Furthermore, additional research is needed to determine how virtual perspectives and awareness can translate into tangible actions in the real world.
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