Actions and their Reprocussions

I have always been facinated by the concept of victim blame. This is often obserbable in sexual assaults where the victim is seen as "putting themselves in that situation". The fact that they were drunk at 2am and decided to walk home unescorted is seen as "asking for it" and somehow makes their situation appear less tragic to observers.
In social work, you are taught to recognize and discourage this phenomenon. Instead, the emphasis is put on prevention. What would seem like common sense is taught to the vunerable population and the instance usually decreases.
Until recently, I thought myself to be immune to this callus viewpoint. Unfortionately I, like many others, apply this method of victim blame to many less severe cases. Today I caught myself saying things like "Of course this is going to happen, can't they see it coming?" and "Why would they put themselves in that situation?". This can apply to everything from dropping out of school to planning your weekend. This however is unfair.
If a compromising or awkward situation results from a situation, it is the fault of the person who initiates the inappropriate behavior and/or the person who consents to engage in it. No one else's. Many people in this world are perfectly trustworthy and simply putting yourself in a situation that could be viewed as "high-risk" does not make you responsible for the outcome.
I have been taught this concept many times, and apparantly am yet to master it on a micro-level. I have at least recognized my shortcomings and that is half the battle.
<3 katie