Prevalence and Depiction of Gender-Based Violence in Spanish-Language Television Series

Latin American women, girls, and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) individuals experience high rates of violence, making Latin America one of the world's most affected regions for gender-based violence. Television, a powerful socialization tool, shapes attitudes and influences behavior. This study analyzes 50 episodes from nine Spanish-language TV series set in Latin America, finding that 90% of episodes depict gender-based violence. However, few portray positive behavior modeling (e.g., victims seeking help) or include educational content. These findings underscore the need for research and interventions addressing how entertainment media shapes discourse around gender-based violence.