In a troubling incident earlier this week, pop star Miley Cyrus was groped by a man while leaving her hotel in Barcelona, Spain, accompanied by her husband, Liam Hemsworth. The man forcefully pulled her toward him, attempting to kiss her, but thankfully, her security team intervened just in time. While this shocking behavior should have been condemned universally, some internet users had the audacity to blame Cyrus for the attack, suggesting that her outfit was to blame.
Following the release of footage documenting the groping, online comments quickly surfaced, with one user stating, “You wanted to look ‘sexy,’ so what did you expect?” and another declaring, “What do they expect when they dress like that?” Such victim-blaming is not just disheartening; it perpetuates harmful attitudes toward consent.
Cyrus, never one to back down from criticism, responded with a powerful statement on social media. “She can wear whatever she wants. She can be a virgin. She can be with five different partners. She can be with her husband. She can be naked. She CAN’T be touched without her consent,” she asserted on Twitter, making it clear that her choices do not justify anyone’s inappropriate actions.
Other women on social media echoed Cyrus’s sentiments, questioning why the focus was on her rather than holding the perpetrator accountable. One user pointed out, “Why is the woman blamed when a man misbehaves? Instead of criticizing Miley, why not demand that these creepy guys keep their hands to themselves?” Another fan added, “It’s appalling that people still think a woman’s attire or public persona equates to consent in 2019.”
This troubling narrative isn’t new. Cardi B recently faced similar backlash after the release of her music video for “Twerk,” where she and her dancers showcased their bodies in bikinis. In response to a critic, Cardi eloquently stated, “It tells women that I can wear what I want, do what I want, and that ‘no’ still means ‘no.’ Just because I twerk or wear revealing clothes doesn’t mean I deserve to be assaulted.”
A heartfelt thank you goes to Cyrus for bravely bringing this issue back into the spotlight. It’s crucial to remember that women should never feel pressured to dress or act a certain way to avoid harassment; rather, men must learn to respect women’s boundaries. This is a vital conversation that needs to continue.
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In summary, the incident involving Miley Cyrus highlights the ongoing issue of victim-blaming in cases of sexual harassment. It’s essential to challenge outdated beliefs that place responsibility on women for how they present themselves. Instead, we must focus on educating men about respect and consent.