process, thus helping to construct the paedophile with a hate figure identity. The
process by which labelling occurs has social and psychological implications on those
who are labelled, which in my research is paedophiles. Embedded within such theory
exists the belief that such individuals who are labelled are likely to incorporate the
label within their self-image and such stigmatisation is likely to affect how they are
treated by others in the future. Indeed Spencer, 1999 proclaims that “where
paedophiles are hounded out, they will go underground” (Spencer, 1999, P.178).
Such a theory will be applied into my dissertation to attempt to explain whether the
labelling of paedophiles by the print media contribute to the vigilantes towards
paedophiles.
However throughout my research process there existed an identifiable
relationship between the failures of legislation, in accordance to the protection of
children and vigilante attacks towards paedophiles, as “people seem to have lost
confidence in the system and have decided to take the law into their own hands”
(David, 1997, P.20). But such a relationship will not be acknowledged within my
research, as my aim is to examine the way in which paedophiles are represented and
labelled through print media reporting. Examining such relationship between
legislation and vigilante attacks would inevitably result in me exploring outside the
realm of my research question.
The central research question I wish to explore is: “To what extent does media
reporting, during a two-month period contribute to the vigilantes towards
paedophiles?” My initial hypothesis is that negative labelling of paedophiles
perceived through the print media structure individuals perceptions. There also exists
a certain complicity towards the way in which the print media reinforces or
contributes people’s actions to act violently towards paedophiles.
Reasons for undertaking research: Although I have never worked with sex
offenders or with victims who have experienced such abuse, the desire to focus my
dissertation on paedophiles originated from the tragic death of Sarah Payne in July
2000 by Roy Whiting, a previous convicted sex offender. What jilted my interest was
the profound response of the public and media, which triggered a campaign for the
implementation of ‘Sarah’s Law’. Such a campaign resulted in the actions of the
Sunday newspaper, the News Of The World publicly naming and shaming convicted
paedophiles. To me this is detrimental not only to children but also to paedophiles are
they are likely to pose a greater risk to children. A great concern of mine is the way in
which paedophiles are stereotypically represented by the media, as it notably feeds the
hysteria of public fear and incites such hostility for lynch mob frenzy.
Methodology and methods: To investigate the way in which paedophiles are
portrayed in the print media and does such portrayal reinforce violent behaviour, I
wish to examine both written text and visual images, thus resulting in my
methodology consisting of a qualitative approach. My methodology will allow me to
explore the ideological themes and stereotypical language embedded within such
press report, evaluating whether conceptualisations of the paedophile incite a violent
mentality. The source of documentation I wish to analyse in my methodology, will be
from national newspapers from the year 2000, such as the News Of The World, The
Sun, the Daily Mail and The Guardian, which will consist of a time framework of two
months, preferably being the months July and August. I wish to explore these specific
months as the newspaper, the News Of The World, in the summer of 2000 undertook
such initiative to publicly name and shame convicted paedophiles. Examining
newspapers during this period will inevitably provide me with a rich source of
information to evaluate and analyse.
Due to my study concentrating on a limited time framework and a specific
theme it is fair to illustrate that my study will not represent the norm of the print
media in relation to the way in which paedophiles are ascribed with such label, my
study will only represent a fragment of the print media. However my intentions from
my findings is to elucidate the representation of paedophiles within the print media
and provide a rigorous analysis concerning the way in which the media militates
violent behaviour towards paedophiles. Thus in relation to my research there may
exist some difficulties I may encounter these may include, with respect to a
paedophile report, me questioning to what extent a report featured in a newspaper
is actually valid, which could result in my findings representing a misinterpretation of
paedophiles. With respect to resources, I may encounter difficulties in relation to
gaining access to newspaper articles from the year 2000. Some articles can be gained
from UWCN Library but other articles from newspapers such as the News Of The
World and The Sun may result in me researching beyond the UWCN library to
libraries such as Cardiff or even paying to order back issues from the internet.
Bibliography:
David, M. (1997). Child Protection, Moral Outrage or Mob Rule? Community Care. 7 August, PP. 20-21.
Greer, C. (2003). Sex Crime And The media, Cornwall: Willan Publishing.
Kitzinger, J. (2002). The Ultimate Neighbour Form Hell? Stranger Danger And The Media Framing Paedophiles. In: Jewkes, Y and Letherby, G. Criminology: A reader, London: Sage Publications.
McDonald, l. (2001). Sex Offender, The Home Office And the Sunday Papers, Journal of Social Welfare and family Law 23 (1), PP. 103-108.
Reiner, R (2002). Media Made Criminality. In: Maguire, M and et-al. The Oxford Handbook Of Criminology, Oxford university press.
Thomas, T. (2002). Sex Crime, Sex Offending And Society, Cornwall, Willan publishing.
Tierney, J. (1996). Criminology, Theory And Context, England: Longman.
White, R and Haines, F. (1996). Crime and Criminology, An Introduction, Oxford University Press.
