In recent years, the stigma surrounding sexual assault has gained more attention, particularly due to alarming statistics that reveal only 20% of female student victims report their assaults to law enforcement. This is a significant reason behind the launch of the “It’s On Us” movement in 2014, aimed at combating sexual violence.
A series of powerful public service announcements (PSAs) released this week effectively illustrate why blaming survivors for their attackers’ actions is not only illogical but also harmful. Coinciding with the 23rd anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act—crafted by Joe Biden during his Senate tenure—the videos highlight the ongoing challenges faced by sexual assault victims. This legislation increased the availability of services and shelters for survivors across the nation.
In one of the impactful videos, a baker is seen decorating a stunning wedding cake when a hotel staff member barges in, rudely plunging her hand into the cake and taking a bite. She exclaims, “It looks so delicious!” as the bewildered baker looks on in disbelief. When he objects, she turns the blame on him, saying, “You made it so tempting. With that Tahitian vanilla icing and lovely flowers, it’s like you were inviting me to taste it.”
The “It’s On Us” campaign produced three distinct PSAs that all convey the same crucial message: victim-blaming must end. Co-creator of the PSAs, Laura Fields, expressed her frustration with the idea that individuals shouldn’t be held accountable for acting on uncontrollable urges. She crafted these sketches to shed light on how this flawed logic applies to everyday scenarios.
“Just because I might feel tempted when I enter a candy store doesn’t give me the right to grab a handful and blame the clerk for having the candy there,” Fields points out. “We need to shift the focus from victims to perpetrators, as the questions survivors face—like ‘Were you drunk? What were you wearing? Why did you go there?’—only serve to dissuade them from coming forward.”
This approach to discussing the issue is undoubtedly tongue-in-cheek, yet it starkly mirrors the rationalizations often directed at victims of sexual assault. Fields notes that the response to the PSAs has been overwhelmingly positive, resonating with individuals beyond just college students.
With the recent announcement by Secretary of Education Mark Johnson to review protections for campus sexual assault survivors under Title IX, the timing of this campaign is crucial. It underscores the need for collective action against the stigma surrounding sexual assault and victim-blaming. Whether through hosting campus events, pledging support to the movement, or creating additional PSAs, it is essential for all of us to contribute to a culture that promotes consent, intervention, and support for survivors.
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In summary, the fight against victim-blaming requires a unified stance. The recent PSAs illustrate the absurdity of shifting blame from assailants to victims and emphasize the importance of fostering an environment where survivors feel empowered to speak out.