Why Does Victim Blaming Occur?

When people victim blame, they often assume that the cause of a crime or trauma is either entirely or mostly the fault of the victim. They may say things like “She was asking for it” or “Boys will be boys.” Victim blaming silences survivors, making them less likely to seek help in recovery or report abuse. It also prevents perpetrators from being held accountable. Understanding what victim blaming is and why it occurs can help us recognize it, reduce its impact, and work toward a more equitable future.

Whether it is online, in person, or even in the workplace, victim blaming is widespread and harmful. It can make victims feel isolated, demoralized and ashamed of their experiences, especially if they are exposed to it in their social circles or within their professional communities. It can also discourage them from seeking professional help, which can make the effects of traumatic events worse.

Some research suggests that people who engage in victim blaming have low levels of empathy for others, which makes it difficult for them to understand how other people are feeling. They are also more critical of other people and do not consider their own feelings or perspectives when interpreting a situation. They often fail to see how their own actions could affect someone else’s life, and they are less likely to offer help when people are struggling (Idisis & Ben-David Citation2007).

Other studies have found that people who engage in victim blaming can be motivated by the belief in a just world. The just-world hypothesis is a psychological mechanism that allows individuals to maintain their inner sense of order and justice by rationalizing the presence of unjust real suffering by believing that the victims deserve what they are going through. This defense mechanism protects the observer’s moral self-image and enables them to avoid taking action against harm being committed by others (Lerner and Miller Citation1978).

Lastly, some research has shown that people who engage in victim blaming may derive enjoyment from it. This is called “sadism.” Individuals who score high on a measure of sadism were more likely to engage in victim-blaming and appear to take pleasure in watching other people suffer. This is also known as Schadenfreude (Hoffman et al. Citation2004).

In addition, those who engage in victim-blaming are more likely to be men, white Americans, older adults, and those with a higher level of education. They are also more likely to be liberal and have a higher political affiliation. These factors may contribute to their likelihood of engaging in this behavior, and they may also increase the probability that they will engage in other forms of prejudice. When the media and popular culture encourage victim blaming, it can have negative impacts on society. It can undermine the importance of respect and dignity for all, as well as erode our shared humanity (Grubb and Henrichs Citation2008). It is important to note that victim blaming also leads to the disproportionately high rates of sexual assault and domestic violence.