Victim Blame: A Difficult Attitude to Change
Students working for the project also advocate for special police training for sexual assault cases. They assert that police often subscribe to myths about rape, and do not always conduct thorough investigations into sexual abuse complaints. They also highlight a need for special police training in cases of sexual assault. Advocacy for this type of training is important as studies have demonstrated it to be effective in reducing victim blame attitudes among police officers.
Misconceptions around victims of abuse still abound. Current research shows the detrimental effects these attitudes have, and yet even professionals who deal directly with trauma survivors fall victim to them. While initiatives have been undertaken to train professionals working in the area of sexual and physical assault, more is needed; and efforts should mobilize not only activists, but also professional sectors, and policy makers.