TV Crime Dramas Have a Positive Impact by Educating the Public on Sexual Assault Awareness

A new study led by Stacey Hust, an associate professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, has found that viewers of prime-time crime televisions shows such as CSI, NCIS, or Law & Order are more likely than nonviewers of such dramas to intervene if they were to witness a sexual assault. The study, published in the Journal of Health Communication, suggests that these types of shows have a positive impact on society by educating the public on what should be done in such incidents and encouraging bystanders to become involved.

“Increasing bystander intervention is critical to sexual assault prevention efforts,” Dr. Hust said. “Bystander intervention both creates an environment in which sexual assault is not tolerated and an environment supportive of victims — both of which are necessary to eliminate sexual assault.”

Dr. Hust earned a Ph.D. in 2005 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.