In an interview with the Sunday Times, Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders made comments about rape that has received a massive amount of criticism. In the interview they ask her about an excerpt from her new memoir where she details about being forced to perform sexual acts on a member of a biker gang at the age of 21. She then responded saying it was her own fault and comments that rape can sometimes be the victims fault. Jezebel reported she said “…You can’t paint yourself into a corner and then say whose brush is this? You have to take responsibility. I mean, I was naive. … They’re motorcycle guys! If you play with fire you get burnt. It’s not any secret, is it?”
The interviewer told her she was shocked of her answer and told her surely it is the fault of the attacker in which Hynde continued:
“Oh, come on! That’s just silly. If I’m walking around and I’m very modestly dressed and I’m keeping to myself and someone attacks me, then I’d say that’s his fault. But if I’m being very lairy and putting it about and being provocative, then you are enticing someone who’s already unhinged — don’t do that. Come on! That’s just common sense. You know, if you don’t want to entice a rapist, don’t wear high heels so you can’t run from him. If you’re wearing something that says ‘Come and fuck me’, you’d better be good on your feet… I don’t think I’m saying anything controversial am I?”
Her comments drew criticism from Lucy Hastings who is the director of Victim Support, who told The Guardian, “Victims of sexual violence should never feel or be made to feel that they were responsible for the appalling crime they suffered—regardless of circumstances or factors which may have made them particularly vulnerable.”
#Peace.Love.ChrissieHynde
