Game Of Thrones Violence Against Women Is "Just Part Of The Story" Says Sky TV Exec

Sexual violence against women has been a hot button issue surrounding Game of Thrones practically since the series premiered. The debate reached a new level with the wedding night rape of Sansa Stark by new husband Ramsay Bolton in Season 5, with critics accusing the scene of being gratuitous and unnecessary.

At the Edinburgh International Television Festival, these complaints were brought to Gary Davey, managing director of content at Sky, the television network that airs Game of Thrones in Europe. Davey dismissed the complaints, saying that scenes of violence are simply part of the story and that male characters are subjected to just as much violence as the female characters.

"I think that's nonsense," said Davey. "There is also a lot of violence to men. For anybody who's watched the show, it can be a very violent show. I don't think the violence against women is particularly highlighted. It is just part of the story. The rape happens, it's part of the story, it was in the books."

The A Song of Ice and Fire novels, which are the basis for Game of Thrones, do feature a lot of violence, including many acts of sexual violence. Sansa's storyline in George R.R. Martin's novels goes differently. She does not wed Ramsay Bolton. Instead, a friend of Sansa's, Jeyne Poole, is forced to impersonate Arya Stark and wed Ramsay. It is Jeyne who is then raped during a scene that is, arguably, much more graphic than the scene with Sansa in Game of Thrones.

"I think it is bit silly, it is not like sex and violence on TV is a new idea," Davey continued. "I feel like I've been defending it for most of my adult life. In fact, I'm not sure it's any worse or any better than it's ever been. And I think part of the issue is context.

"I think Sky Atlantic in particularly is a really good example. People know what to expect there. It is challenging content whether it is the story structure, the characters or indeed the intensity of the content in sex and violence context really matters."

Game of Thrones will return for its seventh season in 2017.

Via The Guardian