Choreography, controversy and child sex abuse: Theoretical reflections on a cultural criminological analysis of dance in a pop music video

This article was inspired by the controversy over claims of ‘pedophilia!!!!’ undertones and the ‘triggering’ of memories of childhood sexual abuse in some viewers by the dance performance featured in the music video for Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’ (2015). The case is presented for acknowledging the hidden and/or overlooked presence of dance in social scientific theory and cultural studies and how these can enhance and advance cultural criminological research. Examples of how these insights have been used within other disciplinary frameworks to analyse and address child sex crime and sexual trauma are provided, and the argument is made that popular cultural texts such as dance in pop music videos should be regarded as significant in analysing and tracing public perceptions and epistemologies of crimes such as child sex abuse

Is Solitary Confinement Useful?

Imagine being placed in a small, narrow cell for long periods of time without any human interaction, just you and your thoughts. Segregated from prisoners, your mind starts to think of ways to escape this sufferable empty atmosphere. Is this form of punishment morally right? Are prisons promoting recidivism and death rather than rehabilitation by segregating individual’s? More importantly, do they expect inmates to be able to reintegrate into society easily knowing their mental state is fragile