Officials of a local women’s organization say they’re shocked, but not surprised, by the results from of a recent survey on sexual assaults.
Nearly one in five Canadians believe a woman may provoke or encourage a sexual assault if she’s drunk. That is according to an Angus Reid poll for the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
Responses to the survey also state that 15 per cent believe flirting with a man could provoke them, and 11 per cent said wearing short skirts could also be encouragement.
“It’s really disheartening to hear that,” said Ontario Native Women’s Associaton’s Maryanne Matthews.
“These women have gone through traumatic experiences and they need to be treated as such and met with sympathy.
“Sexual assault is inexcusable. Under no circumstances does it justify someone to assault another person. There should be no debate about that.”
Thunder Bay’s Faye Petersen Transition House director Debbie Zweep said it’s a classic case of blaming the victim.
“It’s just easier to blame the victim,” she said. “It’s easier to try and hold her accountable for something that has nothing to do with her.”
“It’s 2013, we should expect way more from the men in our lives. They absolutely can control their sexual desire or their acts I think we’ve moved way beyond that.”
Matthews said it’s also disappointing to see that 23 per cent of respondents were between 18 and 34, an age group most likely to be sexually assaulted.
“You would think that that population would be more sympathetic and would have a better idea that sexual assault is wrong,” she said.
Archaic perceptions like what women drink or wear encouraging sexual assault also makes it difficult for women to come forward when she is assaulted because of fears that she will be stigmatized Matthews said.
