It is deeply frustrating to encounter victim blaming, often manifesting in statements like:
- “What were you wearing?”
- “Can you really blame him? Men have natural urges.”
- “Did you explicitly say no? Did you even try to resist?”
- “What did you think would happen?”
- “You were sending mixed signals.”
According to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), 1 in 6 women in America has experienced rape or attempted rape. Alarmingly, many of these incidents go unreported due to the pervasive stigma surrounding victims and the low rate of successful prosecutions—only 6 out of 1,000 rapists ever face incarceration.
A significant issue arises from societal tendencies to shift blame onto victims rather than offering them support and assistance in their journey toward healing and justice. The organization It’s On Us, founded by former Vice President Joe Biden, aims to encourage a collective dialogue on preventing sexual assault. Recently, they collaborated with 101-North Marketing to produce public service announcements that highlight the ridiculousness of victim blaming.
In one of the videos, a male employee at a hardware store is approached by a woman who, seeking relief, sits on a toilet while he is momentarily distracted. When he turns around and expresses shock at her actions, she accuses him of flaunting his presence and complains about his “signals.” Her outrage culminates in her leaving, still berating him for not being clearer.
The remaining two clips in the series depict more classic examples of victim blaming in scenarios that underscore its absurdity. One features two women playfully interacting with a museum sculpture while ignoring a security guard’s clear warnings. In another, a woman chastises a baker for creating a visually appealing wedding cake, insinuating that it is his fault she indulged in it. These portrayals, while extreme, serve to illustrate the illogical basis of victim blaming in real-life situations.
Each video concludes with a poignant statement: “This is the logic used to excuse sexual assault. Not very logical, is it?” Indeed, it is not.
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In summary, the issue of victim blaming is not only illogical but harmful. It diverts attention from the real problem—violence and assault—and places an undue burden on victims instead of fostering a supportive environment for healing and justice.