Victim blaming in our society

 Victim blaming is common around the globe and these days there are different degrees of victim blaming for different scenarios such as slut shaming, rape, suicide, sexual abuse, drug abuse, domestic violence, public humiliation rituals, psychological abuse, statutory rape, acid attacks and hate crimes.

·      Now there is a recent example of victim blaming in Pakistan after robbers gang-rapped a woman in front of her children near motorway. A top police official blamed the victim for being out late at night and not having the required guidelines about her travel. Blaming the victim, judging person’s character whether she was a victim or not, these are rooted in our society.

·      Another example of domestic violence is a recent suicide attempt but fortunately the victim survived. Victim’s own family blamed her for the circumstances which were beyond her control and she went for such acts.

·      A village about 80 kms away from Dera Ismail khan a province in North west of Pakistan armed men forced a 16 year girl to walk half naked in front of the village backlashing her respect for the deeds of his brother who had a secret affair with some girl. This is often the common practice of our society the so called “honour” disputes and blaming the girl for someone’s else honour.

·      Another example of recent murders of two teenage girls on the matter of video leakage. Girls were murdered on the name of honour  by the family members  when a video showing girls with a young man. The murderers are said to be the father and brother of victims.

·      In 2002, a village council gave the order of gang rape of a woman named as MUKHTAR MAI and she took legal actions against them but five out of six victims were released free because of lack of evidence and blaming woman because of her poor repute.