'Jessica Jones': A Feminist Manifesto - Part Two: Reclaiming the Abuse Narrative

​Written by Kate McHargue

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The creators of Jessica Jones did a lot of things right when dealing with this sensitive and controversial topic. Most mainstream depictions of abusive relationships either sensationalize and romanticize (e.g. Twilight) or gloss over the abuse and chalk it up to a necessary evil of storytelling (e.g. Game of Thrones). This is the subversive way that abuse narratives perpetuate and inform the cycle of abuse. But in Jessica Jones we see an entirely new take on the abuse narrative, one that empowers survivors and gives voice to the very real and lasting effects of whatever they suffered.

From the very first episode we see Jessica struggling to maintain some modicum of control and self-care. She suffers from PTSD, insomnia, paranoia, and uses alcohol and isolation as dangerous coping mechanisms. And from that first episode every survivor of abuse finds a protagonist to whom they can relate. Jessica says it most poignantly when she explains to Trish, one of her closest and only friends,

“I’m not safe anywhere. Every corner I turn I don’t know what’s on the other side. I don’t know WHO is on the other side.”
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In one quote Jessica sums up the fear that never quite leaves you, even as a survivor. There’s always a guard up, always a small part of you that is sure you’re not really safe as long as that person, that abuser, is still out there. And if a super strong, super tough, and good in a fight Jessica Jones is afraid then maybe you’re not so crazy or paranoid after all. 

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But this magnificent show goes one step farther than just accurately depicting the dangers of an abusive relationship and the long road to recovery. It also shows us the importance of survivors supporting one another. Jessica spends the entire first season trying to push people away, convinced that she is a danger to them because of her demons and the man who is determined to hurt her. What she consistently fails to understand is that those very people she is trying to protect want nothing more than to do the same for her. It’s easy to tell ourselves that others would be better off without us, but the cast of Jessica Jones reminds us that we have to believe people when they tell us we’re wrong about that.
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In another moment of pure survivor advocacy, Malcolm starts a support group for other survivors of Kilgrave’s powers. He creates a safe space for everyone to share their stories and when Jessica scoffs at the woman Kilgrave forced to smile for hours on end, Malcom reminds her that this isn’t a competition. Everyone suffered and all of them were forced to do things against their will. The degree of the abuse is not important. What is important is that each survivor finds the help they need and takes steps towards recovery.

Jessica Jones takes the abuse narrative to the extreme with a villain that can literally control people, alienating them from their loved ones and anyone who could help them escape. And the truly terrifying thing is that if you’re a survivor, like me, this hyperbole of an abusive relationship doesn’t seem exaggerated at all. In fact, it’s eerily realistic. But the truly wonderful thing is that if you’re a survivor, Jessica Jones gives you hope that you’re not alone and maybe someday you won’t be quite so afraid of what or who is around the corner.

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