logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2022
41m 23s

Sexual Violence

History Hit
About this episode

Definitions of what can and cannot be described as sexual violence vary widely across time and place. In 48 countries around the world today, for example, men cannot be prosecuted for sexually assaulting their wives.


So what can a global history, comparing the differing interpretations of victims, survivors and perpetrators from different societies, tell us about sexual violence? And how might it help us to move forward towards a violence free world?


In this episode, Kate is joined by Joanna Bourke, author of ‘Disgrace: Global Reflections on Sexual Violence’ and professor at Birkbeck University to answer these questions.


*WARNING this episode contains discussions of sexual violence*


Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Thomas Ntinas.


Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.


For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.


If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad-free podcasts, and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today!


You've been listening to a History Hit podcast. Please take a couple of minutes to fill out this survey with your feedback, we'd really appreciate it.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
The Truth About the Mitford Sisters
<p>The Mitfords could rank as the strangest family of the 20th century.</p><br><p>Unity and Diana were passionate fascists who became obsessed with Adolf Hitler, while Jessica became a communist. Unity even became mates with Hitler and was in Germany as the war broke out.</p><br> ... Show More
41m 49s
Nov 21
Did Henry VIII Have An Affair With Anne Boleyn's Sister?
<p>She was 'the Other Boleyn Girl' - Anne's sister, Mary, who supposedly had an affair with King Henry VIII. Such drama!</p><br><p>What evidence is there that the two got betwixt the sheets together? How likely was it?!</p><br><p>Joining Kate today is the historian and author, Es ... Show More
38m 50s
Nov 18
The Truth About Roald Dahl
<p>The Twits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda. Roald Dahl wrote some of the world's most loved children's books.</p><br><p>But what do we know about the man himself? Was he really a spy? Was he a good husband? And why have some editions of his books been edited?</p><br ... Show More
48m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
Viking Sex
<p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, presenter Dr. Cat Jarman swaps seats and becomes the guest of Dr. Kate Lister’s brilliant podcast from History Hit, <em>Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society</em>.&nbsp;In it, she delves into the topics that they d ... Show More
45m 40s
May 2023
Alexander The Great's Sex Life
<p><em>This episode contains references and words of a sexual nature.</em></p><br><p>Did Alexander the Great and the Queen of the Amazons really have sex for 13 days solid? What do we know about his male lovers? And how did his sex life stand up to that of his dad’s?</p><br><p>To ... Show More
44m 56s
Apr 2023
A Conversation About Sexual Violence
Brooke sits down with Dr. Nicole Bedera, a sociologist and leading researcher on sexual violence, to talk about the pervasiveness and danger of normalizing traumatic experiences. Brooke opens up about her own sexual assault and shares why she struggled to come forward. Then, Dr. ... Show More
33m 29s
Apr 2024
Rwandan Genocide Explained
<p><strong>Warning: This episode contains some upsetting descriptions of human suffering.</strong></p><br><p>The Rwandan Genocide is a dark and pivotal moment in modern history; the catastrophic consequence of ethnic division and global inaction. Over 100 days in 1994, it's estim ... Show More
48m 26s
Jun 2024
The Anarchy: Disruptive Women
<p>The Anarchy is an intriguing and often forgotten period of history.&nbsp;There are fascinating characters and moments of deep political importance to England's development as a state. The involvement of women in the Anarchy is vital to understanding how it played out over almo ... Show More
38m 18s
Jul 2021
Episode 21: Violence (Sexual and Domestic) (2021)
Welcome to Introduction to Feminist and Social Justice Studies. This is the twenty-first audio episode of the semester-long course for the Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist, and Social Justice Studies program at McGill University, taking place in the Fall of 2021. The transcript is ... Show More
17m 26s
Sep 2019
Episode 147
Sexual child abuse is so widespread that the numbers are astounding. We seem to forget that the threat is omnipresent and can come in the form of another troubled child with little to no parental supervision. Girls are typically more pretected, more sheltered from these sorts of ... Show More
41m 48s
Sep 2017
Episode 99
Underreported and underdiscussed, male sexual child abuse is a topic that is often brushed under the rug due to social norms and the child's fears of being labelled a homosexual or future perpetrator. Data from various studies indicates that the problem is much more widespread th ... Show More
1h 17m