Depraved Paedos and Other Beasts: The Media Portrayal of Child Sexual Abusers in Ireland and the UK

Abstract

Child sexual abuse is a significant social problem is Ireland and the UK. Research shows that there are significant differences between the reporting of sexual offences in the process and the reality of such offences on the ground. This paper is part of a major study examining those differences and looks at the role that language plays in the media construction of perpetrators of child sexual abuse in Ireland and the UK. It is based on a content analysis of print media as well as a sample of typical perpetrator portrayals on various victim advocacy websites. Findings indicate differentiation of perpetrators based on age, profession, gender and ethnicity. This paper focuses on one aspect arising from the study, that of tabloid demonisation of offenders post-release. Far from serving the work of combating child sexual abuse, the 'monsterization' of offenders creates a major problem for society in terms of rehabilitation and child protection. This paper also looks at the effect of the News of the World 'name and shame' campaign and its social outcomes.