Victim Blaming and Its Dangerous Consequences

When people hear about sexual assault and other forms of violence, they often react with hostility towards victims. They ask victims what they could have done to prevent the assault and why it happened, or point out weaknesses or differences in the victim that might have made them a target. This is called victim blaming and it has dangerous consequences for survivors.

Victim blaming can lead to toxic self-blame that delays recovery from traumatic events and perpetuates predatory attitudes. It also makes it difficult for victims to come forward to report crimes and impedes their ability to find justice. This can have serious implications for the safety and security of communities as a whole.

There are a number of factors that influence victim blaming. For example, people who have high levels of sadnessism are more likely to glean enjoyment from the suffering of others. This is sometimes referred to as Schadenfreude, and it can be seen in political cartoons, Zero Mostel sketches, and many other types of media. Other researchers have found that even people who are not especially sadistic can sometimes take pleasure in other people’s misfortune, though it may be less obvious than in the case of those with high levels of sadnessism.

Another factor that influences victim blaming is the degree to which a person identifies with the victim. This has been studied in a variety of ways, including asking people to rate how much they would like to watch an actor get painful electric shocks. It was found that male subjects identify less with victims than females and that a person’s gender has a strong effect on their level of victim blaming.

It is important to note that it is never the fault of a survivor of abuse or other type of violence that they have experienced harm. Sexual violence happens because someone chooses to engage in harmful behaviour and it is the responsibility of that perpetrator to stop that behavior. Victim blaming can be particularly harmful for survivors because it increases the unhelpful emotional burden of shame and blame and may lead them to avoid seeking help.

Sexual assault is rarely reported and a big part of that is because victims feel that they will be judged by society or will not be believed. Victim blaming can compound this feeling and make it even more difficult to report a crime. It can also make it harder for victims to access services that can help them recover, such as mental health support.

Fortunately, some courts and other institutions are beginning to change the way they deal with sexual assault victims. However, there is still a long way to go before all victims are treated with respect and empathy. Until then, it is crucial that people be aware of the negative effects of victim blaming and strive to combat these beliefs. This will ultimately help reduce the prevalence of victim blaming and increase the accountability of those who commit crimes against women, men, children, and other vulnerable populations.