by Stephanie Cai

Created on: September 23, 2010

This topic has been a debate for quite some time. I remember speaking to some friends about whether or not a rape victim is responsible for what is done to them and to my relief they all agreed that it was and never would be the victims fault. Horrifically though, there are people who believe that the rape victim "brought it on themselves" with the way they dress, act, or their overall personality.

I believe that regardless of the behavior or dress of the woman, one thing I am adamant about is their rights. No man, women or person has a right to violate another person. I find it absurd to say that just because a woman dons a low cut shirt or a short skirt she is "asking for it." We as women should have the choice to express ourselves without worrying about being assaulted or attacked. Where is the blame for the attackers who have no self control? Or for the men who think that these women deserve what they get for expressing themselves?

Rape victims are not responsible for their surroundings. There have been many cases of date rape where the attacker slips a drug into the victims drink. How can the victim be responsible for this? How is she able to know? Sometimes no matter how careful or cautious someone is, something slips by them. Society cannot place the blame on the victim.

Men who rape often feel powerless.  When they overcome a victim they feel powerful and this is what the driving force is. They want to be dominant because in many aspects of their life they feel as if they are not in control. In other cases, rape is used as a tool to scare women. The attacker strips the victim of any feeling of safety.  The victims are not responsible for the lack of control their attackers feel nor are they responsible with how they are selected.

For the many people who believe that a victim could be irresponsible place yourself in the victims shoes. Let's just say you get up, get dressed in something you find fashionable and boosts your self confidence, and go about your day. A random stranger approaches you and attacks you for no reason. You ask yourself what have you done to deserve this. The answer is nothing. You, the victim have done nothing wrong. So to say that the victim was irresponsible in how she dressed or behaved is ludicrous. 

Stop blaming the victims and blame the people who are responsible. 

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