SILENCED OR SEEN - The Cinematic Portrayal of Sexual Violence in the U.S vs. Pakistan

This thesis examines how sexual violence is represented in contemporary American and Pakistani film and television, and how these representations shape public understandings of survivorhood, justice, and institutional accountability. Through a comparative analysis grounded in feminist film theory, postcolonial critique, trauma studies, and narrative analysis, the study investigates whether media functions as a space of meaningful visibility for survivors or reproduces forms of silence and containment under the guise of exposure. Focusing on case studies including Unbelievable (2019), Udaari (2016), and Case No. 9 (2025–2026), this research explores how sexual violence is visually and narratively constructed, how survivors are positioned within dominant cultural scripts, and how legal, familial, and social institutions are portrayed in relation to responsibility and reform. The analysis reveals that while recent media texts demonstrate increased sensitivity, psychological depth, and ethical awareness, survivor agency remains conditional, and institutional power is rarely subjected to sustained structural critique. The findings indicate that visibility in media does not automatically translate into justice. Instead, representation is shaped by cultural norms, market pressures, and institutional interests that regulate whose stories are heard, how credibility is assigned, and what forms of recognition are possible. In American contexts, survivor narratives are frequently framed through legal proceduralism and therapeutic recovery, while Pakistani media often situates agency within moral endurance and familial negotiation. Despite these contextual differences, both systems reveal parallel mechanisms of control, containment, and selective accountability. By integrating textual analysis with audience reception and public discourse, this thesis demonstrates that media operates simultaneously as a site of resistance and regulation. While storytelling can foster empathy, awareness, and civic engagement, its transformative potential remains limited without institutional and political commitment. The study argues for a more expansive and ethically grounded approach to representation—one that recognises multiplicity, contradiction, and ongoing struggle within survivor experience. Ultimately, this research contributes to feminist media scholarship by advancing a nuanced understanding of how sexual violence is mediated across cultural contexts. It affirms that ethical representation is not merely a matter of visibility, but of dignity, accountability, and sustained social responsibility. By foregrounding the tensions between exposure and containment, empowerment and regulation, this thesis highlights the enduring challenges and possibilities of using media as a tool for social justice.