Victimology, the study of victims and their experiences, is a crucial aspect of criminology and legal studies. In India, where socio-cultural factors deeply influence crime and justice, victim blaming has emerged as a significant issue. This article explores how victim blaming shapes societal responses to crime, its psychological and legal implications, and the need for a victim-centered justice system in India.
Introduction: Understanding Victim Blaming
Imagine someone gets robbed while walking home late at night. Instead of blaming the thief, people say, “Why were they walking alone so late?” or “They should have been more careful.” This is victim blaming- it shifts the responsibility from the person who committed the crime to the person who suffered from it.
Victim blaming is a widespread issue in India. Whether it’s a case of sexual violence, bullying, domestic abuse, or cybercrime, victims often hear questions like:
- “Why were you there in the first place?”
- “What were you wearing?”
- “Why didn’t you fight back?”
- “Are you sure you didn’t provoke them?”
These reactions discourage victims from seeking justice, make them feel guilty for something that wasn’t their fault, and allow perpetrators to escape responsibility.
What is Victim Blaming and Why Does It Happen?
Victim blaming happens when people assume that the victim did something to “cause” or “deserve” the harm they suffered. Instead of focusing on the wrongdoer, they analyze the victim’s actions, choices, or appearance.
Why do people blame victims?
- Belief in a Just World: Many people like to believe that the world is fair, where good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. When someone is harmed, it challenges this belief, so people try to rationalize it by thinking, “The victim must have done something wrong.”
- Cultural Norms and Patriarchy: In India, especially in cases of sexual violence or domestic abuse, there is a strong cultural expectation that women should behave in a “certain way.” If they don’t, they are blamed. For example, a woman who stays out late, wears modern clothes, or socializes with men is often seen as “asking for trouble.“
However, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), approximately 8.5% of women in India have reported experiencing sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 24,206 recorded rape incidents in 2011, with a 9.2% increase from 2007 to 2011. However, these numbers are believed to be underestimations due to underreporting.
- Avoiding Fear: People don’t want to believe that crime can happen to anyone, including them. So, they convince themselves that the victim did something risky- this makes them feel safer by thinking, “I wouldn’t have made that mistake, so I’m safe.”
- Lack of Awareness: Many people don’t even realize they are blaming the victim. They think they are offering advice when they say things like, “She should have been more careful” or “He shouldn’t have trusted that person.” In reality, they are shifting blame.
Victim Blaming in India: Where Do We See It?
- Gender-Based Violence: One of the most common examples is when women are blamed for rape or harassment. Instead of questioning the rapist, society asks:
- “What was she wearing?”
- “Why was she out at night?”
- “Did she provoke him?”
In the Nirbhaya case (2012), a horrific gang rape in Delhi, one of the rapists even said in an interview that it was “the girl’s fault for being out late.” Following the incident, some public figures suggested that the victim’s presence outside her home late at night contributed to the crime, implicitly blaming her for the assault. This shocking mindset is not rare- it reflects how deeply ingrained victim blaming is.
Similarly, in Budaun Case (2014), where two teenage girls were found hanging from a tree in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, after being gang-raped. Initial reactions from some community members questioned why the girls were out in the fields at night, insinuating that their actions led to the tragedy.
Even police officers and court officials sometimes make insensitive remarks. In 2021, the Bombay High Court ruled that groping a child without “skin-to-skin” contact was not sexual assault under the POCSO Act. Such judgments discourage victims from coming forward.
- Cybercrimes and Online Harassment: With the rise of social media, cases of cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and image-based abuse (such as leaked private photos) have increased. But instead of supporting victims, people often say:
- “Why did she send those pictures in the first place?”
- “He should have been more careful about what he shared.”
Instead of punishing the hacker or blackmailer, society judges the victim’s personal choices.
- Workplace Harassment: Even in professional environments, women who report sexual harassment are often accused of:
- “Seeking attention”
- “Trying to ruin the man’s career”
- “Misinterpreting friendly behavior”
This makes many women stay silent, allowing the harassers to continue their behavior without consequences.
In Tarun Tejpal Case (2013), Tarun Tejpal, the editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, was accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague in 2013. During the trial, the survivor’s personal life and character were intensely scrutinized, leading to public victim blaming. The judgment acquitting Tejpal in 2021 was criticized for its misogynistic tone and for focusing on the survivor’s behavior rather than the accused’s actions.
- Bullying and Peer Victimization: Students who are bullied are sometimes told:
- “You need to toughen up.”
- “Maybe you’re too sensitive.”
- “Why don’t you just ignore them?”
This dismisses their pain and makes it harder for them to seek help.
The Effects of Victim Blaming
Victim blaming has serious emotional and social consequences:
- Emotional Trauma: Victims feel ashamed and guilty for something that wasn’t their fault, leading to depression, anxiety, and even PTSD.
- Lower Reporting of Crimes: If victims believe they will be blamed, they hesitate to report crimes.
- Perpetrators Go Unpunished: When society focuses on the victim’s actions instead of the criminal’s, the real culprit often escapes consequences.
- Isolation and Stigma: Victims may be shunned by family, friends, or communities, making their suffering even worse.
What Does Indian Law Say About Victim Blaming?
India has laws to protect victims, such as:
- IPC and BNS: Deal with sexual harassment and rape.
- POSH Act (2013): Addresses workplace harassment.
- POCSO Act (2012): Protects children from sexual offenses.
- IT Act (2000): Covers cybercrimes and online abuse.
However, despite these laws, victims often face judgment from police, lawyers, and even judges. Many cases don’t go to court because victims fear being blamed and shamed. A survey revealed that 68% of judges in India held cultural attitudes that blamed victims for their attire, reflecting deep-rooted biases within the legal system.
How Can We Stop Victim Blaming?
- Change How We Think and Talk: Instead of asking “Why was she out late?”, ask “Why did someone attack her?”; instead of saying “She shouldn’t have trusted him”, say “He had no right to betray her trust.” and instead of saying “Boys will be boys“, teach boys about consent and respect.
- Media Responsibility: News channels and social media need to stop sensationalizing cases and respect victims’ dignity. Ethical reporting should focus on the crime, not on what the victim was wearing or doing.
- Educating Law Enforcement and Society: Police officers, judges, teachers, and parents all need training on how to handle victim-related cases sensitively. Schools should teach students about victim rights from a young age.
- Support Systems for Victims: More crisis centers, counseling services, and legal aid should be available to support victims. Survivors should feel safe to report crimes without fear of judgment.
Conclusion: Shifting the Focus Where It Belongs
India needs a serious cultural shift to stop blaming victims and start holding perpetrators accountable. Instead of questioning victims, we should:
- Provide them support.
- Demand stronger laws and faster trials.
- Create awareness about consent, respect, and victim rights.
The next time you hear someone blaming a victim, stop and think: “Would I say the same thing if it happened to me or someone I love?”
Victim blaming isn’t just unfair- it’s dangerous. It allows injustice to continue. It’s time we change that.
This Blog is written by Shirsti
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