In a powerful viral post, comedian Mia Thompson effectively dismantles the problematic notion of victim blaming, particularly in cases of sexual assault. All too often, when addressing such incidents, society focuses on the wrong inquiries: Were you drinking? What were you wearing? Did you try to fight back? This approach, known as victim blaming, unjustly implies that survivors somehow “requested” the violence inflicted upon them.
Mia boldly challenged these harmful narratives with a biting commentary. “I’m going to start going home with random, very intoxicated men and taking all of their belongings,” she quipped, addressing the absurdity of blaming victims for their choices. “It won’t be my fault, though… they were drunk; they should have been more careful.”
Highlighting the staggering statistics regarding sexual assault convictions—where 97 out of 100 assailants face no repercussions, according to RAINN—she continued, “I could probably get away with it 90% of the time, and if one courageous man dares to take me to court, I’ll simply argue that I wasn’t sure when he said ‘no, don’t take my car.’ How could I possibly know he meant it? He was intoxicated.”
Mia also tackled the misguided belief that a victim’s attire can provoke such crimes. “Did you see what he wore to the bar? Designer clothes and fancy shoes. What kind of message does that send? Clearly, he wanted me to steal from him,” she wrote with sarcasm.
Finally, she addressed the misconception surrounding consent. “When he said ‘no’ to me taking his possessions, how could I be certain he really meant it? ‘No’ is just too vague; it could mean anything,” she remarked.
Since her post was shared, it has garnered over 65,000 shares and 146,000 likes. While the majority of responses applauded her clever analogies, a few detractors still failed to grasp her point. One commenter argued, “As adults, we are responsible for our choices. If someone makes poor decisions and gets too drunk with a stranger, it’s their fault if they lose their belongings.”
However, this perspective overlooks a crucial truth: it is the attacker who bears the responsibility for their actions, not the victim for their choices. Sexual assault is unequivocally the fault of the perpetrator—always. Society must change its mindset, shifting the focus from victim accountability to holding offenders accountable for their crimes. Only then can we begin to eliminate victim blaming and treat sexual assault as the crime it truly is.
For those exploring the path to parenthood, you can find valuable insights and support through resources like Finding Hope in the Journey to Parenthood and Mount Sinai’s Infertility Resources. And if you’re interested in DIY options, check out our post on the Cryobaby At-Home Insemination Kit for more information.
In summary, Mia Thompson’s viral post serves as a sharp critique of victim blaming, highlighting the need to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions instead of shifting the blame onto victims. It emphasizes that the responsibility for sexual assault lies solely with the assailants, reinforcing the need for societal change in how we address these crimes.