Sometimes, in response to news coverage of male violence against women, women will think/say: what time was that, was it dark then, I'd not walk that way etc. Victim-blaming is indeed wrong, but this can also be understood as a form of psychic self-defense. A way of distancing...
...a way of saying: it couldn't be me. This is a defence against the truth we all know, which is that it could be any of us. Because these aren't isolated incidents, & all women live with, in spite of & to spite the threat & reality of sexualised male violence.
Every time, time after time, how many times! police say to women: don't go out after dark, don't wear headphones, don't use your phone, do pretend to be on your phone, don't walk this way, be careful of taxis, don't get too drunk, wear trainers...women are made responsible &...
...blameworthy for the choices some men make to perpetrate sexual violence against women. Attention is shifted to how women manage naturalised threats in public places, like male violence is a germ in parks, or clouds that only gather at night; rather than a choice & a crime...
...which is not caused by footpaths, the time of day, nor deflected by keys in your hands & still, still, still the most dangerous place for women & children is their own home from men they should be able to love & trust the most. Change society, not your jogging route.
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