How to Prevent Victim Blaming
Victim blaming is when people assume that it’s partially or entirely the victim’s fault for what happens to them. This can include things like asking “Why did you get robbed?” or making assumptions about the victim’s actions and intentions. It’s a pervasive part of society and can cause a lot of pain for victims who don’t deserve it.
People who engage in victim blaming don’t always mean to, and they may not even realize that they’re doing it. This is because it often stems from a lack of empathy or a fear reaction to seeing someone struggle. It can also be a form of denial, where people believe that bad things should never happen to them.
It can also be a way to rationalize suffering or trauma, like “It’s only because she was drunk” or “He was abusive because he had PTSD.” This is why it’s so important for everyone to understand the harm of victim blaming and how we can prevent it.
This phenomenon is particularly common in the case of sexual violence, but it’s also found with other crimes as well. It can be more subtle than a social media tirade from Kurt Metzger, for example: when someone gets pickpocketed, they might be chided for carrying their wallet in their back pocket. This kind of victim blaming is harmful because it tells the person who was harmed that they could have prevented their own attack.
Some people are more likely to victim blame than others, and this is largely down to their experiences, background and culture. But it can also be a result of their moral values. One study showed that people who are more likely to have binding moral values – like protecting groups or preventing harm to individuals – are less likely to engage in victim blaming.
There are two kinds of people who victim blame: those who have a vested interest in doing so (e.g., a rapist or their lawyer) and those who don’t have anything to gain from it, but still do it. The latter are the ones that are most dangerous because they can instill a sense of shame or guilt in the victim, which can lead to a lack of self-care and support networks.
Another reason victim blaming is so harmful is that it silences victims. It makes it harder for survivors to seek help, and can even deter them from reporting their traumatic experience to the authorities.
It’s crucial that we learn how to recognize and avoid victim blaming, and that we make sure that our friends, family and acquaintances know it’s not their fault. It can take a lot of courage for survivors to come forward and speak out, so we need to ensure that they have the support network that they need.
If you’re a friend or loved one of a survivor, be a supportive voice in their life and let them know that they are not to blame for what happened to them. If you hear victim blaming, call it out and explain why you disagree. And remember, if you’re not sure how to react, it is perfectly acceptable to ask what you can do to help.