From the Swans to Scots: Blaming the alleged victim means a harrowing truth can be avoided
This article discusses the cultural tendency to blame victims of sexual assault, referencing a controversial 2006 sermon by Sheik Taj Aldin al-Hilali. The author connects these historical comments to contemporary reactions regarding recent sexual assault allegations involving students and athletes.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing societal struggle with victim-blaming narratives and the importance of institutional accountability in handling sexual assault cases.
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Share A A A In 2006, the now-deceased Muslim cleric Sheik Taj Aldin al-Hilali caused outrage when he gave a sermon comparing women who do not wear a headscarf to “uncovered meat” who invited sexual assault.
“If you take uncovered meat and place it outside … without cover, and the cats come and eat it … whose fault is it, the cats’ or the uncovered meat’s?” he lectured a group of about 500 worshippers at a Ramadan sermon .
“The uncovered meat is the problem. If she was in her room, in her home, in her hijab, no problem would have occurred.”
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