THE SPECTACULARIZATION OF FEMALE CRIMINALITY: THE MEDIA'S INFLUENCE IN THE CASES OF SUZANE VON RICHTHOFEN AND ELIZE MATSUNAGA

Abstract

This research analyzes the spectacularization of female criminality based on coverage of the cases of Suzane von Richthofen and Elize Matsunaga, investigating how the media contributed to the construction of the image of the female criminal in society.Grounded in critical and feminist criminology, the study examines how gender stereotypes such as 'cold woman', 'maternal monster', and femme fatale were mobilized by the press to construct sensationalist narratives that went beyond the informational field, influencing public opinion and undermining constitutional guarantees such as the presumption of innocence and the right to one's image. The study adopts a qualitative approach, with dialectical and deductive methods, using bibliographic and documentary review as data collection techniques. The analysis reveals that the differentiated media treatment between male and female perpetrators evidences a symbolic and punitive selectivity, in which female transgression is doubly penalized: legally and socially. It is concluded that media spectacularization serves as a mechanism of patriarchal social control, reinforcing gender norms and undermining the legitimacy of the democratic criminal justice system, making it urgent to develop more equitable and responsible journalistic and legal practices.