“Victim blaming is an act of devaluation where the victim of a crime, an accident, or any form of abusive maltreatment is considered wholly or partially responsible for the wrongful conduct committed against them.”[1]
When discussing sexual assault, victim blaming often immediately comes to mind. It's so ingrained in our culture that the two are frequently associated, even though they shouldn't be.
It's not uncommon to read about instances where women are directly linked to their assault based on what they were wearing. Similarly, their behavior is sometimes blamed, aligning with a perpetrator's attempts to shift blame.
The notion that “she was asking for it” allows perpetrators to maintain their freedom while victims grapple with debilitating thoughts. Society has conditioned many to believe it's acceptable to feel superior to women. Consequently, blaming them for assaults becomes normalized, often suggesting they were somehow inviting the act.
But are these justifications valid for a rapist's actions?
“Victim-blaming also provides society with a false sense of security, implying the victim must have done something wrong." This concept, known as the invulnerability theory, correlates with the just world theory and optimism bias.[2]
What are the repercussions when victims blame themselves?
“People rely on a sense of security to maintain their mental well-being and to reject the notion of losing control over their life or body.”[3] Furthermore, societal blame, such as asking, “What was she wearing?” or “What did she expect? She was drunk,” exacerbates the difficulty victims face in accepting such traumatic experiences.
Victims strive not to appear weak, a sentiment that resonates universally.
Despite numerous campaigns and protests, the battle against victim-blaming persists, indicative of deeply rooted sexism.
[1] Inc. US Legal, 'Victim Blaming Law And Legal Definition | Uslegal, Inc.' (Definitions.uslegal.com, 2019) <https://definitions.uslegal.com/v/victim-blaming/> accessed 18 April 2019.
[2] Schoellkopf, Julia Churchill, "Victim-Blaming: A New Term for an Old Trend" (2012). Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Center. Paper 33. http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/glbtc/33 p.9
[3] ibid
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