Blaming victims: a reflex that fuels rape culture

This involves dissecting the victim's attire, habits, relationships, time of outing, or the circumstances they were in, quickly shifting focus from the aggressor's trial to the victim's. This phenomenon is part of a broader "rape culture," a set of beliefs, social norms, stereotypes, and behaviors that normalize, minimize, or justify sexual violence, sometimes unconsciously. This culture is not about explicitly encouraging rape but manifests when responsibility for the aggression is shifted to the victim, mitigating circumstances are sought for the perpetrator, or the victim's account is doubted. Globally, nearly one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organization.

Women and girls are the primary victims of sexual violence worldwide, though men and boys can also be affected, albeit in much smaller proportions and often underreported due to stigma. This prevalence is attributed to gender inequality, power dynamics, and persistent discrimination. Burkina Faso is not an exception to this reality.

Key manifestations of rape culture include victim-blaming, with questions often posed about the victim's choices, such as their clothing, whether they were alone, or their alcohol consumption. These questions aim to find fault with the victim to explain or mitigate the aggressor's r