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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that (part II)

15 replies

WinkyWinkola · 22/02/2008 22:09

it's odd that Steve Wright's murder victims are constantly referred to as prostitutes. Yes, they were but if they were lawyers or teachers, would they be always referred to as such by the media?

They were people first and foremost.

OP posts:
MsHighwater · 22/02/2008 22:11

I read somewhere (possibly here on MN) that many of the media outlets had started referring to them as womenn who were "working as prostitutes".

stuffitllama · 22/02/2008 22:13

You are SO RIGHT morally but a bit wrong in rl terms.
I can't get involved in a debate as [sleepy icon]
You are right because it's not just odd it's unpleasant. It should be "women" in the headline, "women" at the top of the story and "prostitutes" lower down.
You are a bit wrong because if a bloke murdered five people and they were ALL lawyers or ALL teachers that would be very high up in the story too.

twospecialgirls · 22/02/2008 22:15

no its not odd thats what they were and if it were a GROUP of teachers or a GROUP of students or a GROUP of anything they would be refered to what they were imo that is the one thing that they all had in common and prob part of the reason he targeted them so why would it be odd to refere to them as prostitutes !!

twospecialgirls · 22/02/2008 22:16

stuffitllama --- thats what i ment you have just said it better !!

WestCountryLass · 22/02/2008 22:18

I think the media are changing their angle now as they are focusing on the story from the bereaved perspective now.

I suppose when the case first came about it was important that they were identified as prostitutes because there was a serial killer on the loose and the public needed to be made aware of the danger, specifically thsoe working the red light district.

But now it is not so important as, yes, they were daughters, sisters and mothers more importantly.

Has anyone else read what Steve Wrights Dad has said, poor bloke is completely horrified and thinks his son should have the death penalty.

mumblesmummy · 22/02/2008 22:19

It is a shame that we're constantly reminded they were prostitutes. However, as twospecialgirls said, the fact they were prostitutes probably influenced his desire to kill them. I saw on telly before that it's likely that he loathed himself for being attracted to them and so that's why he would have got angry at them and then did what he did.

It some seriously sick and twisted stuff. I'd never want to know about the mind of a killer.

twospecialgirls · 22/02/2008 22:20

i agree also mumblesmummy

RibenaBerry · 22/02/2008 22:21

I agree with what others have said. It would have been "five students murdered" too. Yes, it's sad that in death that's what defines them, but it's legitimate because that was what linked them too.

If he'd killed on person, that women would still have been described as a prostitute first and foremost. But that's just because the press have to find an angle. It's like Sally Ann Bowman (I hope I have that name correctly spelled, etc) is always described as 'aspiring model Sally Ann'...

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 22/02/2008 22:21

No, his dad said he understood why people would think his son should have the death penalty.

I understand the importance of the fact that they were all prostitutes but they are very rarely referred to as women. I just think that the constant use of the term 'demotes' them (of course it shouldn't) in terms of their humanity IFYSWIM.

It's Friday. Had a few wines. Sorry to be incoherent!

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scottishmummy · 22/02/2008 22:22

they were daughters sisters mummy's and loved young women really that is how they should be referred to,so sad.unimaginable what their families are going through Vibrant, full of potential young women brutally murdered.

RibenaBerry · 22/02/2008 22:24

I agree that it does demote them (dehumanises them a bit too) but the press do that with every victim. They find a simple characteristion/caricature(sp? also had wine) and run with it. Sally Ann Bowman is the same...

Trolleydolly71 · 22/02/2008 22:29

Message withdrawn

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 22/02/2008 22:30

? Absolutely no way does it make the crime less evil because they were prostitutes. Not really sure where you get that idea from, Trolley.

I hadn't heard much reference to the victims as 'women'. I'm glad that there is more than I have heard.

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HonoriaGlossop · 22/02/2008 23:12

I have noticed that things are improving though Winky, IMO! I am old and remember Peter Sutcliffe and the reporting on that was much, much more about 'prostitutes' which did de-humanise the poor victims. In the media with this one I have hear much more about as another poster said "women working as prostitutes" - I think they are trying to be a bit more careful. And there's been lots of coverage of their drugs issues and them being victims of that as much as anything...

mrsruffallo · 22/02/2008 23:30

I don't think the fact they are prostitutes has been explioted that much. I have heard more reports about them taking to the streets to fubd their drug habits. They also discussed their childhoods and families, and was reoprted in a very sympathetic manner imo

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