Victim blaming
It is a term most of the general public are aware of, but when it comes down to it, what really is the concept of victim blaming?

Victim blaming refers to the tendency to hold victims accountable for the outcomes of a negative event (Gravelin, Biernat & Bucher 2019, p. 2). It has been found that while victim blaming occurs in a myriad of differing situations, it is especially common in cases of gendered violence (Grubb & Harrower 2008, p. 397).

A common form of victim blaming occurs when women are told that they are the ones who should be responsible for protecting themselves against gendered violence, rather than focusing on the perpetrator (Randall 2010, p. 430). This includes the idea that women should avoid travelling alone in public spaces, given it is a way of ensuring that they are ‘protected’.

Although challenged by feminist movement and theory, victim blaming of gendered violence, particularly in relation to female victims, still continues to occur in today’s society. Palpably, this resumes a toxic perpetuating cycle of gendered inequality and sexist power imbalance within our community (Rollero & Tartaglia 2018, p. 210).

Certain criteria have been identified in research surrounding victim blaming in cases of gendered violence. These include factors such as acquaintance rape, revealingly dressed victims, and intoxicated victims (Sleath & Bull 2012, p. 646).

However, less research has been conducted into the increased level of victim blaming of gendered violence against women in public spaces. This comes down to the idea affirmed by authority figures including the police, that women, given they are historically known to be particularly vulnerable to these kinds of attacks, should not be travelling alone; particularly at night.

Masa Vukotic

In March 2015 Masa Vukotic, a Victorian VCE student, was stabbed to death only 500 metres away from home whilst on her daily walk in her local park in the early evening (‘Teenage girl stabbed to death in Doncaster park in Melbourne’s East’ 2015).

The perpetrator, Sean Price, had a history of violent sexual offending, and at the time of the murder had been out on bail (‘Sean Price jailed for life for murder of Melbourne school girl Masa Vukotic’ 2016). The previously convicted rapist was sentenced to a non-parole period of 38 years imprisonment (‘Sean Price jailed for life for murder of Melbourne school girl Masa Vukotic’ 2016).

Following Vukotic’s murder, The Victorian homicide squad head, detective Mick Hughes suggested on an ABC podcast “to people, particularly females, [that] they shouldn’t be alone in parks” (ABC Radio 2015). Hughes added that he “encourage[s] females to walk together” and that women should take “reasonable precautions” to protect their safety (Davey 2015, para. 8).

In the wake of Hughes’s comments, the Acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright wrote the following in an opinion piece for The Age:

“We must focus on holding perpetrators to account and support victims in all we do.”

(Cartwright 2015, para. 12).

Cartwright went on to add that “too often the first question asked are about the behaviour of the victim. Victorian Police has acknowledged this as an organisation and we are taking steps to ensure everything is focused on turning this around” (Cartwright 2015, para 12).

Furthermore, Domestic Violence Victoria chief executive Fiona McCormack stated that the idea it is a woman’s responsibility to keep themselves safe by not walking alone is still “deeply ingrained” in modern society (Mills 2015, para. 14). McCormack in reference to Hughes’s comments, followed on to state that attitudes are critical as “when we victim blame, which is what this is, it sends a strong message to men who use violence that the broader community agree they have a right to behave this way” (Mills 2015, para. 16).

This kind of response from authorities is the toxic victim blaming that continues to manifest itself in contemporary society. Comments such as Cartwright’s, are the first step to what is needed in order to steer away from this behaviour.

Eurydice Dixon

In June 2018, Eurydice Dixon, a 22-year old aspiring comedian, was raped and murdered 900 metres away from home in a sexually-motivated attack (‘Eurydice Dixon’s accused killer pleads guilty to rape, murder’ 2018).

Her attacker, Jaymes Todd, raped and strangled Dixon to death in Princes Park, Carlton (‘Eurydice Dixon’s accused killer pleads guilty to rape, murder’ 2018). Todd pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of Dixon in the Victorian Supreme Court and has been charged (‘Eurydice Dixon’s accused killer pleads guilty to rape, murder’ 2018).

Does this case sound alarmingly familiar? That’s probably because it is.

Not just to Masa’s brutal murder in 2015, but to the myriad of other cases of gendered violence suffered by women not only in Victoria, but Australia wide. Women like you and me.

And like the victim blaming which occurred in the wake of Vukotic’s murder by police, this again was apparent after the murder of Eurydice.

Superintendent Clayton following Dixon’s death stated that women should make sure to have “situational awareness” and that “if you’ve got a mobile phone carry it” (Davey 2018, para. 8).

Following these comments, Chief Commissioner Ashton told ABC News that women “should have the right to walk around public spaces when they want to walk around them and do so safely.” (‘Top cop denies ‘victim blaming’ in Eurydice Dixon’s murder’ 2018).

However, this is not enough. Following Vukotic’s murder, it is not enough to say change will occur, and then fall back into old habits in the wake of another women’s untimely death. Why were they denied the safety they deserve? And when will I, as a woman, feel safe to walk alone in public spaces?

The evidently perpetuating cycle of violence against women

Victim blaming by authoritative figures adds to the perpetuating cycle of violence against women that is still occurring today, as it condones this gendered violence.

The platform police and other figures of authority have to influence the media and the public at large is huge.

This can be seen following Eurydice Dixon’s murder. Comments made by a senior police officer about the message for women’s safety sparked a media outcry (Langford 2018).

In a piece for the Daily Telegraph, Miranda Devine stated that the polices’ advice for women’s safety was that of “common sense” not to walk in parks alone at night and implied that if someone had told Eurydice that same advice, she may still be with us today (Devine 2018 cited in Langford 2018, para. 2).

Additionally, on Sunrise, Samantha Armytage stated that “it is not a perfect world”, and that is ridiculous to call the polices’ comments “victim shaming.” (Armytage 2018 cited in Langford 2018, para. 4).

Evidently, it is these kinds of conversations, that are sometimes even conducted by women, which are sparked by victim blaming from authorities. The platform authorities have should not be used to send the wrong messages. In order to progress as a society who does not stand for victim blaming of gendered crime, something has to change.

Thus, what this article is calling for, is for police to make the right comments in the wake of gendered violence. Pay them, their families, and woman as a whole, the respect they deserve by blaming the perpetrator, never the victim.

How can we help?

Firstly, regardless of your gender, political status or religious views; victim blaming in gendered crime is NEVER acceptable. If you overhear a friend, colleague, family member or acquaintance blaming a victim, be the one to shut down the conversation and to stand up for that victims’ rights.

Secondly, we need to begin shifting the idea held by many that by acknowledging that gendered crime is an epidemic – that we are blaming all men for the acts of a small minority. We are not asking this. What we are asking for is for men to stand up for women. We are asking men, if a friend or colleague says something about a woman in a derogatory way, say something. Derogatory comments are where gendered violence begins.

Whomever it may be, every single person reading this will be friends, colleagues, a sibling or a simple acquaintance to a woman who has suffered gendered violence.

Stand up for their rights.

Blame the perpetrator always, blame the victim never.

–

References

ABC Radio 2015, ‘Random murder of 17-year-old Melbourne girl sends shockwaves through community on RN Breakfast – Separate stories podcast’, RN Breakfast: Fran Kelly, podcast, viewed 3 April 2019, https://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pgml6mkKA7?play=true

Cartwright, T 2015, ‘Remembering Masa Vukotic on our Journey of Understanding’, The Age, 23 March, viewed 1 April 2019, https://www.theage.com.au/opinion/remembering-masa-vukotic-on-our-journey-of-understanding-20150323-1m5b3c.html

Davey, M 2015, ‘Masa Vukotic had the Right to be in a Park Alone. Victorian Police Must Apologise for Saying she Didn’t’, The Guardian, 20 March, viewed 30 March 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/20/masa-vukotic-had-the-right-to-be-in-a-park-alone-victoria-police-must-apologise-for-saying-she-didnt

Davey, M 2015, ‘‘Men Need to Change’: Anger Grows Over Police Response to Eurydice Dixon’s Murder’, The Guardian, 15 June, viewed 2 April 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/15/men-need-to-change-anger-grows-over-police-response-to-comedians

‘Eurydice Dixon’s Accused Killer Pleads Guilty to Rape, Murder’ 2018, ABC News, 9 November, viewed 2 April 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-08/eurydice-dixon-jaymes-todd-guilty-plea-rape-murder/10475992

Gravelin, C, Biernat, M & Bucher, C 2019, ‘Blaming the Victim of Acquaintance Rape: Individual, Situational, and Sociocultural Factors’, Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-22, viewed 30 March 2019, file:///Users/elishaboland/Downloads/Blaming_the_Victim_of_Acquaint.PDF

Grubb, A & Harrower, J 2008, ‘Attribution of Blame in Cases of Rape: An Analysis of Participant Gender, Type of Rape and Perceived Similarity to the Victim’, Aggression and Violent Behaviour, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 396-405, viewed 30 March 2019, https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/science/article/pii/S135917890800044X?via%3Dihub

Langford, S 2018, ‘If Your “Can’t Understand” Why Telling Women to Take Care is Victim Blaming, it’s Time to Listen’, Junkee, 18 June, viewed 2 April 2019, https://junkee.com/victim-blaming-eurydice-dixon/163726

Mills, T 2015, ‘Chief Commissioner says the Police Force will “turn around” Focus from Victims to Perpetrators Following Masa Vukotic Murder’, The Age, 24 March, viewed 2 April 2019, https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/chief-commissioner-says-the-police-force-will-turn-around-focus-from-victims-to-perpetrators-following-masa-vukotic-murder-20150323-1m5iea.html

Randall, M 2010, ‘Sexual Assault Law, Credibility, and “Ideal Victims”: Consent, Resistance, and Victim Blaming’, Canadian Journal of Women and the Law, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 397-433, viewed 2 April 2019, file:///Users/elishaboland/Downloads/MelanieRandallSexualAssau.pdf

Rollero, C & Tartaglia, S 2018, ‘The Effect of Sexism and Rape Myths on Victim Blame’, Sexuality & Culture, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 209-219, viewed 1 April 2019, https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs12119-018-9549-8.pdf

‘Sean Price Jailed for Life for Murder of Melbourne Schoolgirl Masa Vukotic’ 2016, ABC News, 18 March, viewed 30 March 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-18/sean-price-sentenced-over-murder-of-masa-vukotic/7256730

Sleath, E & Bull, R 2012, ‘Comparing Rape Victim and Perpetrator Blaming in a Police Officer Sample: Differences Between Police Officers With and Without Special Training’, Criminal Justice and Behaviour, vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 646-665, viewed 30 March 2019, https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1177/0093854811434696

‘Teenage girl stabbed to death in Doncaster park in Melbourne’s East’ 2015, ABC News, 18 March, viewed 30 March 2019, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-18/teenage-girl-found-stabbed-to-death-in-melbourne-park/6327704

‘Top Cope Denies ‘Victim Blaming’ in Eurydice Dixon’s Murder’ 2018, SBS News, 18 June, viewed 2 April 2019, https://www.sbs.com.au/news/top-cop-denies-victim-blaming-in-eurydice-dixon-s-murder

Images

Barnet, B 2018, Twitter update, 13 June, viewed 3 April 2019, https://twitter.com/manjusrii/status/1007094376072339457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2018-06-15%2Fwarning-on-personal-safety-after-eurydice-dixon-death-criticised%2F9873588

Batman, S 2018, Twitter update, 13 June, viewed 3 April 2019, https://twitter.com/TheSBatman/status/1007123444478038016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1007123444478038016&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarysue.com%2Fvictim-blaming-eurydice-dixon%2F

Denny, T 2018, Twitter update, 15 June, viewed 3 April 2019, https://twitter.com/taylor_denny/status/1007410706805809152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1007410706805809152&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarysue.com%2Fvictim-blaming-eurydice-dixon%2f

Eurydice Dixon: Facebook Image, sourced from Fox News, viewed 3 April 2019, https://www.foxnews.com/world/comic-eurydice-dixon-mourned-in-australia-at-park-where-rape-murder-occurred

Gilmore, J 2015, Facebook update, 19 March, viewed 3 April 2019, https://www.facebook.com/pg/JaneGilmoreWriter/posts/

Hustwaite, B 2018, Twitter update, 13 June, viewed 3 April 2019, https://twitter.com/BHustwaite/status/1006866484964962310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1006866484964962310&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unilad.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fpeople-furious-over-police-warning-after-woman-was-murdered%2F

Ison, R 2018, Twitter update, 14 June, viewed 3 April 2019, https://twitter.com/isonbek/status/1007268536950181889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1007268536950181889&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarysue.com%2Fvictim-blaming-eurydice-dixon%2F

Joyce, A 2018, Twitter update, 14 June, viewed 3 April 2019, https://twitter.com/alliejoys/status/1007222915962531840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1007222915962531840&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.unilad.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fpeople-furious-over-police-warning-after-woman-was-murdered%2f

Masa Vukotic: Facebook Image, sourced from The Herald Sun, viewed 3 April 2019, https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/sean-christian-price-free-to-kill-masa-vukotic-despite-concerns-he-was-a-danger/news-story/77911b1297ba20ce4aa0bb4234b0cbfd

Srini, A 2018, Twitter update, 14 June, viewed 3 April 2019, https://twitter.com/anusha_srini/status/1007239249941311488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1007239249941311488&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themarysue.com%2Fvictim-blaming-eurydice-dixon%2f