If you are a victim of crime it´s because you were probably doing something "stupid"?!?

Question

Or you were probably not being as aware of your surroundings as you should be!

These are the statements made by a lot of people living in South Africa adopting a certain mindset about crime and trying to come to terms with a violent existence.

(Crime is prolific in South Africa, there are between 50 and 60 murders every day and about 3 or 4 times that many rapes. Along with Iraq (a war zone) and Colombia, we are the worlds most violent countries.)

Movement outside your home is usually restricted to "safe" zones.

So is the above statement fair in assuming that most victims of crime were doing something stupid or irresponsible?

Thanks for all the great answers so far guys!
I asked the question because a friend´s sister got raped on Milnerton beach, Cape Town. She was out walking her dog at sunset when she was attacked and raped.

As if this was not traumatic enough she overheard a friend of her brother say that it was her fault because she was stupid to have been there at that time of the day on her own.

I have recently spoken to her brother and he said that those words hurt her almost as much as the event itself!
She´s pretty messed up by the whole affair to say the least and I feel sick on my stomach when I think about what that guy said.
Is this normal, explaining away crime like that?

Answer 1

Crime is rife in South Africa and that's no secret. We've been talking about it for months now on Yahoo Answers. But I believe that South Africans will wake up and end this crime spree plaguing our nation.

But I must disagree with your statement. South Africans are very much aware of the crime and take special precautions when going out into the war zone, which might just as well be the neighbors' house.

These so-called "safe zones" you talk about are where exactly? People get murdered in their own homes. That's been going on for years! And going to get petrol or visiting shopping areas are the most dangerous places these days. Going out with friends and partying in the backyard isn't that safe anymore, because you can get gang raped by friends these days. Enough said!

And I also have to disagree with the statement you make about people being stupid. I regard farm owners as businessmen and to be just that you need to be very intelligent. And how can you say that the farm killings in South Africa was because of stupidity and not knowing your surroundings! How naive! Criminals are very clever and know other people's properties like the back of their hands! The farm killings and cash-in-transit robberies, for that matter, doesn't happen on account of the victims' stupidity. It happens because of the fact that people in South Africa are not intimidated by the law. They do whatever they feel and get away with it. I've been a law student for three years and dropped out because of my grades and because of the fact that the law academy told people in shebeens to keep running after hours, but to get a license "just in case''. Enough said.

South Africans have adapted to the crime keeping them hostage in their homes, but it's the cunning of the criminal that gets them everytime!

I don't wanna comment on the crime in South Africa too much, because I don't live there. But, as a Proud South African, I thought I'd say something about this drivel.

Babo-gutten?

Edit: Now that you've explained the reason, I can truly say that I'm sorry I attacked the question. I don't feel South Africans are stupid when they have been victimized. We South Africans are just outwitted at this stage. I do believe we'll come along and fight the crime ourselves.

Answer 2

No Certainly not, As many of the others have said there is no such things as "Safe Zones" anymore. No one is safe anywhere. i do think however that there are certain precautions one can take to "minimise " the risk of being attacked ie not wearing jewellary, having security gates etc. But still this does not guarentee anything.

My brother has been mugged about four times and stabbed twice . The most recent attack(about 4 months ago) was outside "the workshop" in Durban. Two "coloured" youths ran at him and at first he thought he had been "punched " in the back. Only when he was home did he realise what had actually happened. In another incident he was held up at knife point by a gang of again"coloureds" and they quite literally stripped him naked . He had to endure the humility of being robbed and then making his way home naked!
Both of these times it was broad daylight in well populated areas and yet not one person tried to help him.
Now he is severly traumatised and very seldom bothers to go outside. I dont believe that we should be made to stay in "Safe zones" , this is ******it!I think that if all of us SAfricans could just get involved and help when they see such atrocities taking place , this would let these "skelms" know that we are tired of their sh8!

I am a strong believer in "kangaroo courts" and if the government cannot(willnot ) take matters into their own hands then it is time that we as the citizens do!No matter what race we are , this is a major problem that affects all of us in some way!

Answer 3

I have been mugged by 3 men, I am a woman of slight built weighing 50 kg. I was within eye site of my house. I have been told "what where u doing in the street" and "what did u wear" I was 40 years old when this happened and NO it was not my fault. I as a law obeying citizen i should and i demand the right to be where i want when i want to be and i still hold this believe. I will always hold those men responsible and the government responsible. I have an alarm system and security gates on all 3 doors of my house.

Answer 4

if you were stupid enough to vote the lying b@stards in the ANC in, then you should live with the consequences of your actions.

in all the wars and conflicts that south africa has ever had, their were less deaths overall than all the murders we have had in the past 13 years. FACT.

I'm not saying everything they are doing is wrong, but they could be doing so much more than what they are doing now.

we live in a democracy that is geared toward the rich black man, and although black people fall victim to crime, i am sure that percentage-wise, morewhite people are dropping like flies as victims to crime.

Answer 5

that is an irresponsible statement because it makes the assumption that the victim of crime is responsible for the victimisation. A very silly viewpoint, yes we could all be more aware of our surroundings however the victim is never to blame for the crime.

Answer 6

no way!!!
people need only take precautions and if they dont completely work out, they cant be labelled "stupid" because some idiot refuses to get an eductaion (its possible when over the age) and a job (be creative, street vendors are)...
i will not be restricted to my safety/comfort zone because of some lunatic running rampant with a gun and a pea brain. the chances of me running into that same lunatic in my comfort zone, are quite as likely as me running into him away from home (comfort and security)

Answer 7

I think it's stupid to make her responsible.. If a burglar get into your home than no one tells you its your own fault having things to steal inside your home. So why should she be responsible. No one has the right to attack her. I once was inside a bank in ST Lucia wen it got robbed. It was scary but there is no way I feel responsible for it.

Answer 8

Balls why do I have to barricade myself and family behind huge security gates, why do our police take 3 hours (if you are lucky) to respond to a call. Why can't I drive to the shop without some idiot trying to smash a window and steal my goods.

Why can't our children play on the streets any more, as we did as kids.

It is because our goverment does not give 2 shits about their citizens. Thabo we are sick of it.

Answer 9

It is a stupid statement!!
there needs to be the death sentence until all the murders slow down if there already isn't

Answer 10

Not realy...as you have to go to work...and your chidren to school....
But if you will retutn home...thats another question...
So there is no choice...you have to take Risks every single day or night....
You dont have to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.....
It will just seek you out...where ever you are....
Sad but true...