Lead singer of American rock band The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde, has come under fire today for comments she made about rape victims in an interview with UK's Sunday Times magazine.
As Yahoo News reports, Hynde says, "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 ... that's just common sense."
The rocker describes her own experiences with sexual abuse in her recent autobiography, Reckless, where she recounts having to perform sexual acts on an Ohio motorcycle gang when she was 21. She comments in the interview that she views it as her fault partially because she was on drugs at the time.
"Technically speaking, however you want to look at it, this was all my doing and I take full responsibility."
"If I'm walking around in my underwear and I'm drunk ... Who else's fault can it be?"
As The Telegraph notes, Hynde was also quoted as saying, "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 ---- me', you'd better be good on your feet I don't think I'm saying anything controversial am I?"
Her comments have sparked a heated debate online from activist groups, sexual abuse victims and feminists alike.
Indie rockers Bessemer, as well as some other industry figures, weighed in on Twitter:
Chrissie Hynde is wrong. 100% of rapes have in fact been caused by rapists, not clothes.
— Bessemer (@Bessemerband) August 30, 2015
Whenever blame is discussed regarding rape, the analogy about cars or houses being unlocked comes up. It's a crass and reductive comparison.
— Bessemer (@Bessemerband) August 30, 2015
Can't imagine the devastating effect #ChrissieHynde's comments must be having on victims of rape & incest today. #stopviolenceagainstwomen
— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) August 31, 2015
I do feel bad for Chrissie Hynde—blaming herself for her own sexual assault—but it’s irresponsible to take that blame and extrapolate it.
— Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) August 30, 2015
Hey, Chrissie Hynde should I wear a burqa today so I'm not a feminist who 'asks' for it? I'm just asking.
— Jade Helm Commander (@Anomaly100) August 30, 2015
Chrissie Hynde, taking us back to the 1970s - not with music - but by saying women bring rape on themselves by how they dress
— Will Black (@WillBlackWriter) August 30, 2015
