Violence Against Women

Okay, now that the title of this post has snagged your attention, here’s an issue I wrestle with in my own writing. How do you feel about portraying violence against women? A rape scene, a beating, a murder. I would imagine the answer will differ between the sexes and what end of the writing you’re on. Women will feel one way about writing it and another about reading it, and men will do the same. My guess, and please correct me if I’m wrong or if you have a differing opinion (which I’m most certain you will), is that women have an easier time writing scenes of violence against women than reading them and for men the feelings are vice versa.

Here’s my own experience. My first manuscript included a couple scenes where a woman was being beaten by her husband. The scenes were described in some detail, and I was at least a little uncomfortable writing them. When I gave the story to my wife to read her comments about the beating scenes were less than glowing. She suggested that there is enough violence against women portrayed in our society and so much so that we have become calloused toward it. Should we, as Christians, be adding to this mucky stew?

I know I’m going to catch some heat for this, but hey, it’s America and I’m entitled to my opinion, right? Right? Please oh please say right because if I’m not I really need to check into the housing market in New Zealand. But my opinion is that no, we shouldn’t be feeding the beast, adding to that stew of objectifying and exploiting women.

Okay, go on and rant and rave about telling the truth, place your comment below about how I want to sterilize the world and paint a pretty picture where there isn’t one. About how I’m a prude and don’t want to face reality. I deserve it. I know I do. But here me out first (then fire away, just get it off your chest).

I’m not against including the reality of violence against women (or men or children or gerbils) in our stories. We have to tell the truth, and in the world in which we live–this dark and degenerate place where evil roams and sin plays–the truth is that bad things happen, awful things, ghastly things, things we can’t just ignore or color over with pretty little pastel flowers. I get that, I really do. What I’m suggesting is refraining from even the hint of glorifying such behavior. Isn’t there enough of that in our world? Hasn’t the degradation of women via pornography, movies, music, and yes, books gone far enough?

I’m not suggesting—and please don’t hear me suggesting—that our stories should be all about protecting women from the truth (we can’t) and ignoring the gritty reality of life (we shouldn’t). All I’m suggesting is to think very carefully about the scene before you write it, determine how much needs to be portrayed to get the point across, and don’t lollygag around just for shock value, describing every blow, every curse, every violating act. Sometimes a hint of the act is all that’s needed.

Now let me say, in every manuscript I’ve written I’ve included scenes of violence (I do write suspense, after all), and in some, violence against women, but I’ve agonized over how to do it tastefully so as not to linger or glorify such a horrid act. In fact, in The Hunted, my soon-to-be-released suspense novel, the editor wanted me to elaborate on a rape and murder scene, and I respectfully declined, I just wasn’t comfortable with it. I did include it, though, but I think it’s safely done and gets the point across without taking the reader down a road he or she doesn’t necessarily want to travel (or I don’t want to lead them).

I can hear you now: “Well what about violence against men, doesn’t that matter?” Of course it matters, and violence of any kind, if it’s only there for “edginess” or shock value should be avoided. But really, do you think our society views violence against men the same way it views violence against women? If you do, you’re either lying to yourself or you’re seriously disconnected from American culture. (Ahh, I can hear the angry keys clicking already!)

Here’s another suggestion: Before writing a scene that portrays violence against a woman (or, yes, any violent act against anyone), ask yourself why the scene is there, what you want to accomplish with the scene, and how much needs to be described to get the point across.

Whether you agree with my view or not (and please feel free to disagree, this is, after all, America; no one will hang you by your toenails if you express a differing opinion) please at least just think about this topic, that’s my hope in bringing it into the light. Maybe we can get some discussion going (civil discussion, like, you know, adults do) and learn from each other, maybe we can talk about an issue it seems no one wants to tackle.

Okay, I’m done. Fire away.