This presentation delves into the representation and construction of sexual violence victimhood, focusing on the utilization of content-related topoi. Topoi, as recurring argumentative structures, offer valuable insights into discourse construction and societal understanding. This study differentiates content-related topoi from formal and logical topoi, exploring their significance in the context of sexual violence.

Through a comprehensive analysis of media reports and online comments concerning a prominent sexual violence case in Korea, this research identifies a set of content-related topoi associated with the portrayal and comprehension of sexual violence. These include topos of sufficient resistance, topos of romantic interest, topos of maintaining relationships, topos of contacting authorities, topos of pain, topos of gain, and topos of unseriousness.

The findings reveal three primary discourses surrounding sexual violence. The discourse of victimhood delineates the expected traits of an 'ordinary' sexual violence victim. The discourse of an evil woman suggests disbelief in the female victim's account and assigns blame to her. By combining these discourses, individuals insinuate that the 'real' victim is the perpetrator or his family. Additionally, the discourse of heteronormativity normalizes and normatizes romantic relationships between men and women, further influencing societal perspectives.

This presentation underscores the significance of content-related topoi in unraveling prevalent discourses on sexual violence, providing a deeper understanding of societal perceptions and attitudes.