Advertising Violence

The very same word choice as the news articles above is seen in an advertisement for Liberty Bonds in 1918, below. In this article, it is written from the point of view of a farmer and later stated that "privilege of freedom and prosperity" can be remembered by thinking about those who are "outraged and murdered" in other countries." However, as shared above, outrage and murders occur in The United States as well. Terminology was used in a different context during this time but in this day and age, advertisements would never include comparison to sexual violence.

No Detail too Gruesome

Pages and pages of research show that historical newspapers spared no details for the sensitive. Descriptions of women and children getting their throats cut open "ear to ear," disemboweling, crushing of skulls, dragging, and mutilated are haunting. To make the situations worse, the description of their abuse is followed by the statement that they had been raped. More often than not, if the victim had been killed, the description of the death was also included.

Connecting this to the 21st century, there is not much coverage regarding the rape and murder of victims. Society as a whole knows this still occurs far too often, but the victims are not used as a spotlight in the news. These details may not be for the public eye to protect privacy, respect the deceased and their family or simply because it occurs far too often to be placed in the news. Although, when a rape and murder makes the news, the gruesome details are usually spared.

More than the Details

Within each of the news clippings pasted above, none of the victims were remembered for who they truly were. This is difficult during this era because women and girls were recognized by who their husband or father was. They could not be recognized by their own accomplishments, goals and traits. Perhaps, this is why society is faced with details of their heart wrenching rapes and murders rather than their feats while on this earth. Rest easy to those who have lost their lives due to sexual violence, domestic violence, and any other violent act.

All articles found on Chronicling America