Why does no one care about the assault on Lindsay Lohan?

Best known for her roles in movies such as Mean Girls and Freaky Friday, actress Lindsay Lohan has had her fair share of media scrutiny for substance misuse and legal struggles. However, a severe tribulation that the actress recently endured has been met with substantially less coverage than it deserves.

A viral video reveals Lohan on a beach in Mykonos, Greece, trapped in a seemingly painful, physical battle with her then fiancé, Egor Tarabasov. The couple was quarrelling in Tarabasov’s 4x4, when Lohan tossed his cellphone out of the window and fled the vehicle.

Tarabasov, a Russian billionaire, chased after her in an attempt to recover the cellphone. He was apparently intoxicated as he swiftly grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back, making her unable to free herself from his grip. 

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Lohan explained that “Egor drank too much and he went crazy.” She claimed that she only hurled his cellphone because he confiscated hers. She continued by pointing out that the incident came after another violent clash between them.

Lohan was left screaming for help on the balcony of their London apartment, exclaiming, “Please, please. He just strangled me. He almost killed me.” The police arrived at the scene, although no one was charged. 

The interview marked the first occasion of Lohan exposing the truth about her abusive relationship with Tarabasov. She tearfully admitted that he mistreated her before, and that although she is “not an angel”, has made an effort to salvage their relationship. Their engagement has been called off and according to her; love is no longer adequate motivation for remaining in a relationship.

When a woman experiences the degree of agony that Lohan has, it is only appropriate that she receives her community’s support - both for her own relief and the prevention of future abuse to others. This begs the question of why Lohan’s ordeals suffered from a lack of press attention. 

It is a widespread fact that she has a troubled past, which is in part due to her own irresponsible behaviour. Does this make her less worthy of society and the media’s compassion?

According to The Frisky, apparently so. The pop culture site highlighted a “perfect victim” mindset held by society. There is an expectation that a sufferer of abuse is required to fit a mould of decency before being shown care by the public. Given her previous reckless encounters, Lohan is highly unlikely to fit this mould.

In contrast, should the victim in question be a more esteemed figure, perhaps a celebrated Oscar-winning superstar or First Lady, would the press response be the same?

If not, this points to potential discrimination of mistreated casualties, which offers food for thought. In order for abuse to be eradicated, it is vital that no instance of this wrongdoing go under-recognised, let alone unrecognised. If this need is not fulfilled, the manner in which the media and society are accustomed to addressing the topic of abuse should be relooked at.