She Was Asking For It: HR 3 and the Sexual Assault of Lara Logan

More than 60% of rapes go unreported. Given how our
society blames the victims, it's no wonder why.

Between 1 in 4 and 1 in 6 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime; only 39% report the crime (Source: National Crime Victimization Survey, 1999).

The reason that more than 60% of rapes go unreported is because many women are too scared.  Some of them are scared of their attacker, but most are more afraid of being labeled, libeled, and left longing for justice and feeling like it's their fault.

Sexual assault, "victim blaming" and sexism go hand-in-hand.  No matter how heinous the crime or how clear the circumstances, women are constantly blamed for their misfortune in allowing themselves to become a victim.  If she's attractive, she should have been more careful.  If she was dressed provocatively, or even if she was wearing anything short of a burka, she was asking for it. If she had a healthy sex life, she was a slut and therefore her "claim" of assault is suspect.  If she was a woman in a predominately male profession or doing a particularly risky job, then she was just a silly girl who should have known her place.

All of these accusations have been thrown at the incredibly brave, exceedingly talented Lara Logan.