Blaming the Victim

Victim Blaming

Victim blaming is when the victim is held in whole or in part responsible for the crimes committed against them. Victims are blamed for many reasons. It can be who they were with, things they may have said or done to the perpetrator, what they were wearing or where they were during the crime. Some of the crimes that may include victim blaming are violence against women, sexual assault, sex trade workers or homicides. These are but forms of rationalization and coping mechanisms in an attempt to distance one's self from the victim and the problem.

The effects of victim blaming are endless. Victims may not report further crimes committed against them, for fear of being blamed. It can also lead to a victim refusing to testify against the criminal. This can lead to a dismissal of the case or a less harsh penalty for the criminal. In turn, this can lead to the offender re-offending due to lack of punishment. And the cycle will continue.

The Victims Contribution to the Crime

A victim may make it easier for a crime to be committed against them, without having any idea that they are doing it. Examples are: leaving windows and doors unlocked, car keys in the ignition and letting people know that you will be out of town for a period of time. Sometimes just walking passively and not paying attention to your surroundings can make you a target.

Some criminals look for people who are weak or venerable. Much like in the wild a predator will attack the weak. However, these behaviors that every one of us has at one point or another displayed can also lead back to victim blaming. No matter what a person has said or done they are not responsible for a crime committed against them.

Similarities and differences between victimization theories

These victimization theories are very similar. In part they seem to both blame the victim for the crime committed against them. In victim blaming a girl that has been sexually assaulted, may be blamed because of what she was wearing at the time. In a victim's contribution to a crime,

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