Philippine E-Journals

Attribution of Juvenile Offenders’ Sexual Offenses to Mass Media

Jean Cattleya Cruz | Anne Gemini De Bustos | Marie Frances Mañalac | Wilfirida Lorraine Nepomuceno

Discipline: Mass Communication, Media

 

Abstract:

This study was done to determine the mass media form and content to which the respondents attribute sexual abuses the most. The six respondents were considered as juvenile sexual offenders (in cases of rape and incest against women and children), and were under the custody of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC), during the time of the study. This study aimed to know the profile of the respondents, their level of exposure to different mass media forms within the community, the mass media forms and contents that the respondents attribute their sexual abuses to the most, and the relationship that exists between the mass media exposure of the respondents and their attribution of sexual abuses to media. The study conducted a survey and Focus Group Discussion. To analyze and present the numerical data, the researchers used tables and graphs. Weighted mean, T-test and spearman rank were used as statistical treatments.

 

This study revealed that television was the medium, which all of the respondents are often exposed to. The respondents were also frequently exposed to film and radio, seldom to print, and least of all to the Internet. The participants attribute their offenses to television the most, specifically to contents such as such as romance, variety, and comedy shows, and commercials. In film, the respondents point to comedy, romance and X-rated films. In print, the respondents perceived that reading of tabloids, magazines, comics and billboards as weaker triggers. In radio, listening to music and drama programs were considered as stronger triggers to sexual offenses. The researchers concluded that there is no significant difference between the media exposure of the respondents and their attribution of sexual abuses to media and there is a high positive correlation between the two variables.