This is a hypothetical case. It also is metaphorical.
A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle while crossing the road. The pedestrian fell unconscious. A crowd quickly formed and the driver was circled upon by this crowd. The driver pulled up and then got out of the vehicle. It was apparent to every onlooker that the driver was drunk. However, the driver got away with it because the on lookers said “let us ask him for his version of the story.” The driver said something about being abused as a child and thus needing to numb the pain by drinking alcohol in copious amounts.Some of the onlookers , moved by the sad story,then deduced that the pedestrian should have been more keen while crossing such a busy road. Those on lookers remained with the driver on the scene,talking about the make of the vehicle and what the weather looked like. They all had moved on from the accident.
Some of the on-lookers decided to take the pedestrian to hospital . On their way there, conversation ensued about what shoes the pedestrian was wearing. It was decided that those were the wrong shoes for the pedestrian to wear. Those in support of the shoes being a wrong choice ,left the entourage to the hospital.
The group had reduced greatly in number. The stares and the inquiries that were being made initially reduced as well.
Another person said “that road is very busy. Why did this one choose to go there and cross from there? I know there are no pedestrian crossings or foot bridges around there but still, there was no need for this one to cross that road. And just like that. The great crowd was reduced to four people.
These four people thought to themselves “If this happened to me, I’d want to be helped” another thought “If this was my relative, I’d want the best for them.” Another thought “If this was my friend, I’d want the best” and finally, the last of the four spoke out loud and said “This is a living being. They should not be assaulted.” The four , all in agreement, reached the hospital and got treatment for the total stranger .
In the spirit of humanity,the least that we as a society can do is unlearn victim shaming and actually believe and support them. This applies in the instance of rape and gender based violence. We have to lend support to any survivor of such violence and become their safe place.