Crime is never the victim’s fault.
Victim blaming is common. It’s when you place the blame at the feet of the victim, rather than the perpetrator who has committed the crime. It’s thought that we fall into the trap of victim blaming because of the ‘Just world’ theory. This is where we believe that good things happen to good people, and it helps us make sense of a complex world. Therefore, we believe something in the victim’s behaviour or actions led to the crime. This allows us to feel safer.
As part of their work to educate and inform about victim blaming, five illustrators from Northern Ireland, and a local singer-songwriter, have interpreted five different scenarios. These scenarios represent different crimes and incidents when it can be easy to fall into a pattern of victim blaming. Thank you to Victim Support Northern Ireland for allowing us to use this information in our website.
#StopVictimBlaming
Domestic violence – illustration by Jacky Sheridan (@JackySheridan)
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Domestic violence – illustration by Jacky Sheridan (@JackySheridan)
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Past crimes – illustration by Thomas Bannon
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Past crimes – illustration by Thomas Bannon
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Sexual Violence – illustration by Fiona McDonnell (@FionaaMcDonnell)
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Sexual Violence – illustration by Fiona McDonnell (@FionaaMcDonnell)
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Assault – illustration by Jamie Beard (@HelloJamieBeard)
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Assault – illustration by Jamie Beard (@HelloJamieBeard)
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Robbery – illustration by David McMillan (@davidjmc_)
Please click on the postcard to see the explanation Move your cursor over the postcard to see the explanationRobbery – illustration by David McMillan (@davidjmc_)
Please click on the postcard to see the explanation Move your cursor over the postcard to see the explanationFive Postcards by Paddy Nash (@paddynash)
Singer-songwriter Paddy Nash is well known for his social commentary style of music.
He has interpreted all five of the above postcards into this powerful and reflective song.