The 'Number One Serial Killer Target,' Investigated the Portrayal of Sex Worker as Victims on Criminal Minds


Melanie Rogers, Queen's University

Media representation plays a vital role in shaping public discourse about sex work. Due to the stigmatized and, therefore, secretive nature of sex, much of the general population’s understanding of the sex industry is informed through the media, where representations are produced, negotiated, and repeated. The present study uses narrative analysis to examine the representation of sex workers as victims in the popular crime drama C riminal Minds . Results indicate the show uses motherhood to create more sympathetic victims, engages in high-risk lifestyle discourse and presents a narrow, stereotypical portrayal of sex workers. In contrast, the show provides moments where viewers see agents and other law enforcement members engage in dialogues that counter victim-blaming narratives. The findings demonstrate a more nuanced depiction and the need for further research into the media portrayal of sex workers in fictional crime dramas. 

This paper will be presented at the following session: