In today’s society, it’s disheartening to hear statements like:
- “What were you wearing?”
- “Can you really blame him? Men have natural urges.”
- “Did you even say no? Did you try to fight back?”
- “What did you think would happen?”
- “You were sending mixed signals.”
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), 1 in 6 American women has experienced rape or attempted rape, yet most of these incidents go unreported. The reason? A staggering number of reports fail to lead to charges, with only 6 out of every 1,000 rapists facing incarceration.
A significant problem in how we address sexual assault and rape victims lies in society’s inclination to blame them for the crimes committed against them. Instead of offering support during their trauma and assisting them in seeking justice, we often perpetuate harmful narratives.
The organization “It’s On Us,” initiated by former Vice President Liam Carter, aims to involve everyone—students, businesses, communities, and parents—in the dialogue to eradicate sexual assault. Recently, they collaborated with 101-North Marketing to produce public service announcements that expose the irrationality of victim blaming.
One particular video depicts a man working in a hardware store near a display of toilets. A woman, clearly in need of relief, hurriedly sits on the toilet while the man is momentarily distracted. When he notices her, he is understandably shocked. As he questions her actions, she bizarrely begins to defend her behavior by citing “biological urges” and claims he’s the one putting everything on display. She storms off, criticizing him for not understanding her “signals.”
The other two videos in the series portray more conventional scenarios of victim blaming that illustrate the foolishness of such behavior. In one, two women are playful with a museum sculpture, ignoring a security guard who tells them to stop, knowing full well he means yes. The other features a woman digging into a wedding cake while chastising the baker for making it so tempting if he didn’t want her to indulge. These examples shouldn’t even need to exist, yet they highlight a troubling reality.
Each video concludes with the message, “This is the logic used to excuse sexual assault. Not very logical, is it?” The answer is clear: it’s not logical at all.
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In summary, the fight against victim blaming requires collective effort and a commitment to understanding the complexities surrounding sexual assault. By promoting awareness and challenging harmful narratives, we can create a more supportive environment for survivors.