Victim Blaming

When people hear about crimes, they often think what the victim could have done to prevent it. This is called victim blaming, and while it’s most prominent in cases of sexual assault, it can happen for any crime or trauma. Blaming victims can keep them from seeking help for fear of being blamed or shamed, and even have a negative impact on their physical or mental health. It can also make them feel less safe in their communities, schools or workplaces.

This reaction is based on a combination of a lack of empathy and the human drive to self-preservation. It can be difficult to control, especially since the instinct is so powerful and deeply ingrained in the human brain. “It’s a fundamental part of our humanity to want to survive,” says Hamby, who has studied victim blaming extensively. “If you’re going to be alive, you want to protect yourself from harm, and that can lead to not being able to empathize with other people.”

There are some types of people who are more likely to engage in victim blaming than others. In studies, researchers have found that a person’s moral values play a big role in their likelihood to engage in victim blaming behaviors. Those with higher binding values, which emphasize the importance of protecting groups or individuals, are more likely to see victims as blameworthy, while those with stronger individualizing values, which prioritize helping individual people, tend to be more sympathetic towards them.

Some people rely on victim-blaming as a defense mechanism for their own negative feelings, and they might not even realize they’re doing it. It’s important to be aware that this is a common reaction and that it can have a negative impact on survivors, especially when they share their experiences with loved ones.

In addition to causing psychological damage, victim blaming can have a negative effect on the justice system. It can affect witnesses’ willingness to support the victim and/or testify, authorities’ willingness to prosecute, prosecutors’ motivation to recommend incarceration and judges’ disposition to incarcerate.

Victim blaming can discourage survivors from reporting their experiences for fear of being blamed or shamed, which can make them more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidal ideation. It can also lower the chances that a survivor will receive support and care from her community, family, friends, teachers or coworkers, which can further impact her wellbeing.

Sadly, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to stop victim blaming, but it’s important that everyone learn to recognize and challenge this type of behavior. Educating people about the effects of victim blaming and ensuring that they have access to professional support can be vital, as well as teaching them how to be more empathic and compassionate. If you have a friend or family member who is experiencing victim blaming, it’s important to show them empathy and tell them that the abuse they experienced wasn’t their fault. You can start by telling them about this article.