By: Anna Agoncillo and Genesis | mypsychobabbles.com


The news about rape in the Philippines has been rampant these past few months. More so, survey showed that the trend of victims each year has been increasing (PNP Women and Children Protection Center, 2013).

(C) GMA News Philippines, 2014

In 2012, approximately 346,830 women were raped, as a result, there were about 17, 342 unwanted pregnancies (U.S. Department of Justice, 2013). You can’t rule out men just yet, most of them suffer in silence too. In 2003, 1 in every 10 rape victims were male.

These numbers are from United States and Philippines alone. Imagine how many individuals were raped globally. Furthermore, these are from reported victims. How about those who kept it from others due to social misogyny and shame? Maybe the statistics thereafter will double or even triple. Indeed, it’s very alarming, horrifying and disappointing.

In this video, you’ll see how hard it is to be sexually assaulted especially in a place you call home and by someone whom you call mom or dad.

Victim blaming was present:

• when heavily made-up victims were labelled as “alleged prostitutes”
• when women were accused to provoke sexual assault due to clothing
• when victims were believed to be drug addicts or alcoholics
• when people say, “he/she was asking for it!”
• when fans protest because a famous figure loses his/her career for having been sentenced with "Reclusión perpetua" while forgetting why he/she was sentenced to begin with

These past few days, the case of Jennifer Laude has been skyrocketed in different social media platforms. Jennifer “Jerry” Laude, a transgender individual, was allegedly murdered by a U.S. Marine, Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton. Full article here.

Whatever transpired on the day of murder, only those involved would know. What we know for sure is that she died miserably and the family is now seeking for justice. I have seen a lot of conversations online. It’s shocking to see how our so-called “kababayan/countrymen” would hate on Jennifer for being  transgender, and accuse her of being a thief, a drug pusher, or a prostitute.

I was saddened by the obvious display of judgment from others who seemed to blame Jennifer for her own demise. But really, why blame the victim?

Jennifer Laude did not deserve to die. No one does. No crime as petty as theft and prostitution should equate to death. I may not agree with some of Jennifer Laude’s choices in life but I respect her entirely. At the end of the day, we shall all remember that we can't defeat injustice if we keep blaming the oppressed. Instead, we must help the survivors and their families to rebuild their future. The Laude’s need the support especially at this trying times.
Victim Blaming, Attribution and Locus of Control

Attribution and Locus of Control are two seemingly the same Psychological constructs that can explain the belief and behavior of victim blaming. Attribution is how individuals explain the cause/s of behaviors and events in their life (Kassin, Fein & Markus, 2008).While Locus of Control is a belief that one's power over the situation can either be external (control belongs to fate, luck, higher God or other forces) or internal (control belongs to personal efforts and decisions) (Zimbardo, 1985). 
Now let’s apply it to a situation… 

John got raped in a narrow alley at 2AM holding a bottle of whiskey in his hand.