Societal Views on Women’s Clothing: Examining Victim Blaming

This study examines how society views women's clothing and how these views contribute to victim-blaming in cases of sexual violence. It aims to know the factors behind victim-blaming attitudes, examine how clothing choices affect victimization, and understand the challenges women face because of what they wear. Moreover, this study aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on creating a fair and inclusive world for everyone. Data was collected from 379 respondents using a quantitative, descriptive approach. The results show that younger people, who are more exposed to conversation about gender equality, have more open and progressive views. On the other hand, older individuals tend to stick to traditional beliefs shaped by local culture. Victim-blaming often stems from media portrayals, cultural norms, and ingrained gender roles, with a noticeable lack of empathy for victims playing a big role.While many believe that women should have the freedom to wear what they want without fear of judgment, biases still exist. Women in revealing clothing are often judged more harshly and receive less support, even though clothing itself is seen as less important compared to societal influences like cultural norms and portrayal.