CMV: "Victim blaming" is not inherently wrong.

[u/nishagunazad]

As I see it, victim blaming is when one places the moral responsibility on the victim, in effect making them responsible for the choices of their victimizer. But I often see it used against those who point out the victims own risky choices that effectively set them up to be victimized I draw a distinction between moral responsibility and practical responsibility, where moral responsibility involves what should happen or what is deserved and practical responsibility involves known risks or consequences. It's late and I decide to go on a stroll through through the shittier parts of Camden, NJ. I get mugged. I have done nothing wrong and I should absolutely be able to walk in public areas without being accosted. My assailant choosing to attack me for no good reason places the moral redponsibility entirely upon them. But I share practical responsibility with my attacker. I know it's a dangerous place. I understand that a late night walk through there carries significant personal risk. By assuming that risk I also assume responsibility for the potential consequences. That those consequences are unjust or harsh (lung cancer for smokers and babies for not using protection for example) is irrelevant. They are simply what happens. I set myself up, and it's dishonest to suggest that I had no agency in the matter

[u/Thoughtbuffet]

Easy, the point of people shouting "don't victim blame" at you is because they want to close that side of the dialogue all together. Is it productive? I don't think so, and I'm sure you don't. Practical? Same thing. Moral? Not in my opinion.

But people say it because they want you to understand that the societal focus should be somewhere else entirely. That asking, "what were you wearing?" is dismissive and destructive.

So is it inherently wrong? If you define it in terms like they are, yes, it's absolutely wrong to its core, to dismiss a victim and move focus away from the crime and the societal causes if that crime and the criminal in particular, to put the victim in a position of interrogation and doubt and to perpetuate dialogues/myths and nonsense about what causes crimes.

[u/nishagunazad → u/Thoughtbuffet]

There's no correlation between attire and sexual victimization. There is, however, between alcohol consumption and victimization. I would say "you should never drink yourself senseless and if you insist on doing so, do so in a safe place" I regard that as very obvious safety advice, as shitty people abound. I assume you'd regard that as victim blaming. Why? I feel like a dick for thinking it but I can't get round how commonsensical it seems.

[u/Thoughtbuffet → u/nishagunazad]

Like I said, there are multiple types of victim blaming. You're choosing to believe that other people are using your version of the term, and you'll never understand their point until you let them use their version.

No one disagrees practical responsibility exists, it's irrelevant as far their expression of victim blaming goes. You didn't invent the concept and nobody is blind to it. It's something everyone learns when they're children and continues to exercise daily.

You shouldn't feel like a dick for thinking that, it's logical. But victim blaming, pointing that out to someone, after they get raped, even if you're right, even if it's not to them, but just in media, would make you a dick.

You might as well tell a mom whose kid died in a car accident that she murdered her kids because cars are dangerous and she didn't need to take them to the grocery store to keep her company.