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  • Essay / Rape Culture: Victim Blaming and Shifting Responsibility

    Women are not “allowed” to wear “provocative” clothing or go out at night, because if they did, they would be raped. But what determines that a woman's clothing choice is "provocative"? Are short skirts and high heels provocative or are skinny jeans and sneakers considered provocative? No matter what a woman wears, why is it her fault that she was raped? Why is it her fault that her clothes “provoked” her rapist? Why isn't it her rapist's fault that he couldn't control himself and not rape her? It's not like his choice of clothing means he can rape her just because he can't "help it." Why is it almost never the rapist's fault that he raped someone? Why is it usually the victims’ fault? Surely, if I were raped, I would be told that I was "asking for it" and one of the first questions I would be asked would be, "What were you wearing?" What if I wore jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt? Can this still be called “provocative”? Was I still asking to be raped while wearing this? Absolutely not, women shouldn't have to adjust their clothes just to make sure they don't get raped. Because ultimately, they would be raped whether or not they chose to wear a short skirt or jeans. A rapist doesn't look at his victim and think "oh, since she's not wearing a short skirt and heels, I won't do it." ».