Komunika: Jurnal Dakwah dan Komunikasi
Vol. 20 No. 2 (2026)

Patriarchy and the Silence of Male Victims: A Semiotic Analysis of Sexual Violence Representation in The Photocopier Movie

Fatma Dian Pratiwi (UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Anindya Septiana Arfiani (UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Vanesa Oktavia (UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Tika Puspitasari (UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Jul 2026

Abstract

Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection indicate that sexual violence cases have reached approximately 8,800 incidents, including unreported cases involving male victims. Previous studies show that men who experience sexual violence often face heavier psychological burdens due to stigma, shame, and social disbelief rooted in patriarchal and toxic masculinity norms. This study examines the representation of male victims of sexual violence through the Indonesian film Penyalin Cahaya (The Photocopier), focusing on how patriarchal culture shapes societal responses toward male victimization. Using a qualitative research approach. This study employs Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis to interpret the film's visual and narrative elements that signify patriarchal values and gender norms. The analysis reveals that male victims are portrayed as experiencing intensified social and psychological pressure, including fear, shame, anxiety, and identity confusion. The male victim is depicted as passive and emotionally restrained, often adopting a “mask” to conform to societal expectations of masculinity. These representations highlight how rigid gender norms and perceptions of male strength contribute to the silencing and marginalization of male victims. This study contributes to the broader discourse on sexual violence and patriarchal culture in Asian contexts, particularly Indonesia, by demonstrating how media representations perpetuate stereotypes that frame male vulnerability as weakness. The findings underscore the role of cultural norms in sustaining stigma against male victims and call for more inclusive narratives in discussions of sexual violence.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

komunika

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Journal Komunika is a journal published by the Dakwah Faculty of IAIN Purwokerto, which has a concentration related to the field of Dakwah, Islamic Communication, communication theory, mass communication, dakwah management, dakwah messages, dakwah media, dakwah methods, dakwah organizations, Islamic ...