Why Women Are Blamed for Everything

Synopsis

'The kind of book that has you screaming "Yes! Yes! Yes! Now I get it!" on almost every page' Caitlin Moran

'Dr Taylor sets out a compelling case . . . gives voice and agency to women who have experienced trauma and violence' Morning Star

She asked for it. She was flirting. She was drinking. She was wearing a revealing dress. She was too confident. She walked home alone. She stayed in that relationship. She was naïve. She didn't report soon enough. She didn't fight back. She wanted it. She lied about it. She comes from a bad area. She was vulnerable. She should have known. She should have seen it coming. She should have protected herself.

The victim blaming of women is prevalent and normalised in society both in the UK, and around the world.

What is it that causes us to blame women who have been abused, raped, trafficked, assaulted or harassed by men? Why are we uncomfortable with placing all of the blame on the perpetrators for their crimes against women and girls?

Based on three years of doctoral research and ten years of practice with women and girls, Dr Jessica Taylor explores the many reasons we blame women for male violence committed against them. Written in her unique style and backed up by decades of evidence, this book exposes the powerful forces in society and individual psychology which compel us to blame women subjected to male violence.

About the Publisher

Constable

Recently acquired by Little, Brown Book Group, Constable publishes a diverse range of bestselling fiction and non-fiction titles. Notable is Constable?s superb crime list, with MC Beaton at the forefront of the beloved ?cosy crime? genre with her bestselling Hamish McBeth and Agatha Raisin series. Constable also boasts a strong non-fiction section, publishing the likes of HRH Princess Michael of Kent and bestselling parody We?re Going on a Bar Hunt.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Blame Game

* Summary: This chapter introduces the concept of "blame culture" and how it disproportionately affects women. The author argues that blame culture is a way of silencing and controlling women, and that it is used to maintain the status quo and prevent women from achieving equality.
* Real-world example: In the United States, women are more likely to be blamed for sexual assault and domestic violence than men. This is despite the fact that women are more likely to be victims of these crimes. This blame culture can lead to women being reluctant to report these crimes, which can make it difficult for them to get the help and support they need.

Chapter 2: The Double Standard

* Summary: This chapter discusses the double standard that exists for women in society. The author argues that women are held to a higher standard than men, and that this double standard is used to judge and criticize women's behavior.
* Real-world example: In the workplace, women are often expected to be more polite, accommodating, and helpful than men. This can lead to women being seen as less assertive and less competent than men, even if they are equally qualified.

Chapter 3: The Myth of the Strong Woman

* Summary: This chapter challenges the myth that women need to be "strong" in order to be successful. The author argues that this myth is used to pressure women to conform to male standards of strength and toughness. She also argues that this myth can be harmful to women, as it can lead to them feeling like they are not good enough if they do not meet these standards.
* Real-world example: In politics, women are often criticized for being too emotional or too soft. This criticism is often used to undermine their credibility and to make them seem less capable of leadership.

Chapter 4: The Sexualization of Women

* Summary: This chapter discusses the ways in which women are sexualized in society. The author argues that this sexualization is a form of objectification that reduces women to their bodies and makes it difficult for them to be seen as anything else.
* Real-world example: In the media, women are often portrayed as sexual objects. This can lead to women feeling like they are constantly being judged and scrutinized for their appearance.

Chapter 5: The Culture of Rape

* Summary: This chapter discusses the culture of rape that exists in society. The author argues that this culture is one in which rape is normalized and trivialized, and that this makes it difficult for women to come forward and report rape.
* Real-world example: In many countries, rape is still considered to be a taboo subject. This can make it difficult for women to talk about their experiences of rape, and it can also make it difficult for them to get the help and support they need.