Why Women Are Blamed for Everything

Exposing the Culture of Victim-Blaming

By: Dr Jessica Taylor

Narrated by: Dr Jessica Taylor

She asked for it. She was flirting. She was drinking. She was wearing a revealing dress. She was too confident. She walked home alone. She stayed in that relationship. She was naïve. She didn't report soon enough. She didn't fight back. She wanted it. She lied about it. She comes from a bad area. She was vulnerable. She should have known. She should have seen it coming. She should have protected herself.

The victim blaming of women is prevalent and normalised in society both in the UK and around the world.

What is it that causes us to blame women who have been abused, raped, trafficked, assaulted or harassed by men? Why are we uncomfortable with placing all of the blame on the perpetrators for their crimes against women and girls?

Based on three years of doctoral research and 10 years of practice with women and girls, Dr Jessica Taylor explores the many reasons we blame women for male violence committed against them. Written in her unique style and backed up by decades of evidence, this book exposes the powerful forces in society and individual psychology that compel us to blame women subjected to male violence.

©2021 VictimFocus and Dr Jessica Taylor (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"The kind of book that has you screaming 'Yes! Yes! Yes! Now I get it!' on almost every page." (Caitlin Moran)

'"Dr Taylor sets out a compelling case...gives voice and agency to women who have experienced trauma and violence." (Morning Star)

The most important book you will read

I am 42. I am so thankful for the development of language to explain my (and it seems many woman’s) experience of living in a patriarchal system. Dr Jessica is so clear and firm and her ability to analyze and explain complex systems is refreshing. A must read for everyone.