What is Rape Culture? 

Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety. 

Victim Blaming 

One reason people blame a victim is to distance themselves from an unpleasant occurrence and thereby confirm their own invulnerability to the risk. By labeling or accusing the victim, others can see the victim as different from themselves. People reassure themselves by thinking, “Because I am not like her, because I do not do that, this would never happen to me.” We need to help people understand that this is not a helpful reaction. By validating and assuring survivors we can take the first steps in stopping this culture and holding abusers accountable. 

Why is it Dangerous? 

Victim-blaming attitudes marginalize the victim/survivor and make it harder to come forward and report the abuse. If the survivor knows that you or society blames her/him for the abuse, he/she will not feel safe or comfortable coming forward and talking to you. 

Victim-blaming attitudes also reinforce what the abuser has been saying all along; that it is the victim’s fault this is happening. It is NOT the victim’s fault or responsibility to fix the situation; it is the abuser’s choice. By engaging in victim-blaming attitudes, society allows the abuser to perpetrate relationship abuse or sexual assault while avoiding accountability for his/her actions.

Adapted from Marshall University and Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness 

If you are a victim of sexual violence you can reach Family Service’s 24-hour Rape Crisis
hotline at 845.452.7272 or learn more about the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) here.