“Victim-blaming is the attitude which suggests that the victim rather than the perpetrator bears responsibility for the assault.” (“Responding to Victim Blaming”, 2023)

What does God say about victim blaming?

Matthew 7:3-5

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Victim blaming encourages a lack of accountability for one’s own action.

James 1:14

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire”.

There is still the reality and consequences of sin. We have underestimated this and have not realized its full weight and graveness.

Thus, this does not also excuse any of the gender of their responsibility to not adjust to this reality, but rather it aims to give a balanced perspective on things.

1 Timothy 2:9-10

“Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control”

Romans 14:13 (NIV)

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister”

TAKEAWAY 

In a highly patriarchal society, may we not forget that God is a fair and just God. He is a God of equality and balances the weighing scale. Let us not forget the pressing realities of sin and how it has distorted the originally good design that God has created.

Let us bring heaven down on earth and start acting the way God has intended– to love people by loving God first and that includes saying no to sin.

Entitlement based on gender and the likes should have no room in the kingdom of the Lord. By only acknowledging God’s sovereignty and originally good design (and how far away we are from it) do we fully realize the need to surrender to Him– even if that means acknowledging our own faults and laying our lives down for His cause.

References

Responding to Victim-Blaming. (2023, June 7) Consent and Sexual Respect Initiative. https://wp.stolaf.edu/sexual-respect-initiative/secondary-tertiary-resources/responding-to-victim-blaming/#:~:text=Victim%2Dblaming%20is%20the%20attitude,violence%20or%20harassment%20that%20occurred.