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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Imagine a situation: a person becomes a victim of a crime, but instead of support hears the question: «What did you do to make it happen?». This approach is called victim blaming, or blaming the victim. This phenomenon is dangerous not only for the victims, but also for society in general.
What is victim blaming?
Victim blaming – is a social phenomenon where responsibility for events or crimes is transferred to the victim, not to the person who committed them. Examples can be seen in a variety of situations, from domestic violence and sexual harassment to discrimination at work or even traffic accidents.
This often manifests itself in phrases like:
- «Why were you in such a short skirt?»
- «Why did you walk at night?»
- «Should have thought better!»
Where does the victim's accusation come from?
This phenomenon is deeply rooted in human psychology and culture. Here are some reasons why victim blaming occurs:
- The illusion of a just world. People want to believe that the world is fair: good happens to good and bad – only to those who «deserve». This cognitive bias leads some to blame the victim to maintain faith in the control of the world.
- Social stereotypes. Gender, racial or cultural bias often determines how society perceives a situation. For example, in cases of sexual violence, women may face double standards because of gender roles.
- Fear and self-defense. Blaming others, a person seems to defend himself, convincing him that he will not find himself in the same situation.
- Uninformedness. Lack of knowledge about the circumstances of the crimes or the nature of the violence leads to misjudgments.
Consequences of victim blaming
Victim blaming has serious implications for individuals and society alike:
- For the victim: Instead of support, the victim faces additional stress, guilt, and shame. This can lead to depression, PTSD, or even suicidal thoughts.
- For society: Blaming the victim creates an atmosphere of tolerance for crimes, because the real perpetrators go unpunished.
- For justice: Victims are often afraid to contact the police or human rights authorities for fear of condemnation.
How to recognize victim blaming?
The victim's accusation is not always obvious. It may be hidden behind innocent questions or comments. Here are some examples:
- «And why didn't you just go?»
- «Maybe you provoked him yourself?»
- «Are you sure that it really happened?»
If words question the victim's actions or testimony instead of focusing on the perpetrator's behavior, it can be a manifestation of victim blaming.
How to deal with victim blaming?
- Support the victims. Say: «It's not your fault». Victims often need empathy rather than advice.
- Raise awareness. Education on violence, stereotypes and human rights helps to reduce the level of blame of victims in society.
- Focus on the culprit. The main question should always be: «Why did the criminal do this?», not «Why was the victim there or did it?».
- Be attentive to language. Words have power. Avoid wording that may suggest the victim's guilt.
Victim blaming not only wounds victims, but also destroys public trust and normalizes crimes. To build a just society, we have to stop blaming victims and learn to take responsibility for violence on the real perpetrators.
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