Public perceptions of feminicide and the feminist movement in Mexico

Abstract

The misclassification of murders results in the invisibilization and impunity of gender-based violence. According to Observatorio Cuidadano Nacional del Feminicidio figures in 2024, of the 3408 cases of murdered women in Mexico in 2023, only 827 were classified as feminicides. Since few cases result in punishment, women have protested for justice nationwide. The current study examines the effects of media representation of feminicide cases. Participants were randomly assigned two of four fake newspaper articles about a feminicide case, which varied based on the description of the murdered woman and the intention of the crime. Participants who received the victim-blaming article endorsed significantly more victim-blaming attitudes compared to participants who received the non-victim-blaming article. Additionally, participants who received the article where the male assailant exhibited a will to harm the victim exhibited significantly more victim-blaming attitudes. The results highlight the need for journalists to be mindful of the narratives they construct regarding feminicide cases.

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