It’s Time We End the Desire for the “Perfect” Victim
Because you shouldn’t have to be flawless for your pain to be valid
Trigger Warning: this article contains material of sexual assault and violence that may not be suitable for all readers. Fearless community, please read with care.
(Author’s note: Because I am discussing violent crimes in general throughout this article, I use the word “victim,” to describe people affected by those crimes. Please note that people who have endured sexual assault are “survivors,” not victims. I make that distinction once early on, but I use the term “victim” to represent those affected by violent crimes collectively throughout this essay.)
“Well, what were they wearing?”
“Were they asking for it?”
“What did they expect, with that sort of behavior?”
“Why were they out at that hour?”
“Why did they go to a club if they didn’t want to go home with someone?”
“Why did they choose a ‘high-risk’ lifestyle?”
We’ve all heard these kinds of questions before, probably thousands of times now. When tragic news breaks of a crime against another person, whether it’s sexual assault, mugging, or even homicide, so many want to find some kind of…
