Media representations of sexual violence in correctional facilities—often categorized under the reductive trope of "gay prison rape"—have long served as a staple of American entertainment. From dark comedies to gritty dramas, these depictions fluctuate between being a punchline for "retributive justice" and a device for shock-value drama.

: In many action films, prison rape is framed as a "just desert" for heinous villains. Films like Fire Down Below or Hard to Kill suggest that once a villain is sent to prison, they will face sexual victimization as an extra-legal form of punishment, often cheered on by the audience.

: Perhaps the most ubiquitous media trope is the "don’t drop the soap" joke. Programs like The Simpsons and Family Guy have utilized this punchline, which relies on the idea that sexual assault is an inevitable, almost expected, consequence of incarceration.

Time's up: Recognising sexual violence as a public policy issue