Blaming the rape victim

This study out of Scotland yields depressing results, showing just how deeply sexual prudery and sexism shape people's perception of rape. I would wager my poodle that if the same people were asked whether they thought murder victims were to blame for getting murdered, the numbers would be completely different.

As long as people view rape as an act of sex, and believe that women are complicit (by virtue of trusting men or dressing in sexy attire), as opposed to the act of violence that it really is, courts in Scotland - and throughout the world - will continue to punish the victims instead of the victimizers.

Researchers who interviewed more than 700 potential rape trial jurors between 18 and 65 years old for the charity Rape Crisis Scotland found that 40% felt women contribute to an attack if they put themselves in "risky" situations, such as willingly going home with a man.

Although 39% of people thought the victim is not to blame for being raped, 61% were "unsure" or disagreed in various degrees. Rape Crisis Scotland said the results are "startling" and highlighted the urgent need for a major advertising campaign to challenge male preconceptions about how women consent to sex.
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The study is the first to target the notion frequently brought up in trials that women "invite" rape. Despite recent widespread changes in the conduct of court officials and the way evidence about an alleged victim's background is led, only 3%-4% of cases are successfully prosecuted in Scotland....

LINK

Comments

[Amanda]

Thanks for posting this! It scares me and makes me sick, but it's good to realize the reality of the situation.

[anon]

Frankly, it is hard to say what the result was since they use the odd verb "contribute" as in,

"The study also found 26% of people questioned agreed that women contribute to being raped if they are drunk; 23% if they are involved in some form of sexual activity; and 20% if they are wearing revealing clothing."

There is a major difference between saying "a woman who is drunk is more likely to be raped" vs. "a woman who is drunk is partially responsible if she is raped."

I would like to see the exact wording of the questions. The way it was reported inclues equivocal language.

[anon]

btw, just to emphasize..one of the comments puts it exactly like I was alluding to....

If I leave my door unlocked and open while I sleep I am just asking for trouble. I am making it more likely that I will be a victim of a burglarly.

But does that in any way diminish the responsibility of the burglar who chooses to break the law and enter my house? Absolutely not.

My behavior is, in a very real sense, a contributing factor in the ability of a potential burglar to committ the crime. But in no way do I deserve to be burglared nor should I be held even partially responsible for the burglary.