Where have we as a society learned to place blame, on the perpetrator or the victim?
In light of the death of the 19-year-old girl from Cephalonia, a question arises effortlessly: are we really interested in seeking responsibility where it belongs, or do we insist on shifting it to the victim herself, a girl who was “left” in a bad situation by some, leading her to her death;
Do we read comments about “not knowing what she was getting into”, that “this would be the end”. But why are we hurrying to alibi those who, in one way or another, contributed – or “participated” – in this tragic outcome? Why is the responsibility shifted from those who did not help her, who did not get her to a hospital in time, to the one who was left helpless?
The answer is deeply rooted in social stereotypes. A patriarchal view that insists on controlling, judging and ultimately blaming the woman. Because she wore heavy makeup, because she had tattoos, because she dressed “provocatively”-a term that in itself reveals the distortion.
What are we ultimately learning as a society? That even today, after so many cases, the first question about a rape remains the same:“what was she wearing?”That even in a case where a girl was abandoned after substance abuse, the conversation revolves around her appearance and her choices – her own choices and her own responsibilities even where they don’t exist.
The reality is harsh but clear: the responsibility does not belong to the victim. It belongs to those who had the opportunity to help and did not.
And as long as we fail to recognize this, we will continue to lightly apportion blame where it does not belong.
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