‘What were you wearing?’: The silencing effect of victim-blaming

[SINGAPORE] Carrie (not her real name) can still clearly remember her trauma from 20 years ago. What was meant to be a short detour to a hiring manager’s home to pick up a few items ended in a traumatic act of sexual violence.

He had offered her a ride to her night classes, after their third meeting during a job interview process. What transpired left the then 20-year-old so overwhelmed by shock, fear and self-blame that she reported the incident only three days later.

Instead of receiving support, she was met with doubt.