Victim Blaming

When crime or a traumatic event occurs, it’s not just the victim who suffers. Victim blaming is also a prevalent reaction to these events that can be damaging for victims and their loved ones. It’s a pervasive problem that can prevent victims from getting the help they need and it can even discourage survivors from reporting their crimes to authorities.

Victim blaming is the act of questioning what a victim could have done to prevent a crime from happening, suggesting that it was the fault of the victim rather than the perpetrator. This practice is not just a problem in cases of rape, sexual assault and murder, but it can be seen as well in cases involving theft or robbery. When people victim blame, they may ask things like, “What was she wearing that night?” or “Why did she leave her purse unattended?”

People who are guilty of victim blaming often do not realize that they are doing it. They may be influenced by their cultural background, their upbringing or their beliefs. The reason behind it is that some people are unable to reconcile the idea that the world is a fair place with the reality of random acts of violence or injustice. In those instances, victim blaming can be a way for them to maintain their belief that the world is just and avoid feeling guilt or shame over their own misfortune.

The good news is that there are steps we can take to minimize victim blaming. For instance, a study published this summer in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that certain personality traits are associated with being more likely to engage in victim blaming. Specifically, those who scored highly on a measure of “everyday sadism,” or being more inclined to experience negative emotions over events in their daily life such as illness and injury, were more likely to be victim blamers. This suggests that there is a group of people who are more likely to participate in victim blaming and possibly get a kick out of it.

As a general rule, victim blaming is most common when the topic at hand is something that is controversial or morally ambiguous. For example, a discussion of a case that is being debated in the courtroom or a debate over whether or not someone should be allowed to carry a gun are more likely to be victim blaming conversations. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon so that you can challenge any blame-based comments or questions when they are brought up.

Most importantly, if you know a survivor of abuse or assault, be sure to let them know that what happened to them was not their fault and that they are not at fault for a crime that was committed against them. It’s also essential to listen to them and let them tell their story without judgement. Having the support of friends and family is one of the most valuable things a victim can have.