Ladies, wrap yourselves in newspapers before you leave your houses!

Women in Beijing are being told to avoid wearing short skirts and short shorts on public transportation if they want to avoid sexual harassment, you know, because it's their fault they're being sexually harassed. And if they choose to sit on the upper level of the bus, then they should "shelter their bodies with bags, magazines, and newspapers" to avoid someone taking inappropriate photos of them.

I guess we're really back to blaming the victim. And it's not like the Chinese officials aren't trying to stop sexual harassment of women. I mean, they would train public transportation workers how to stop the harassment, but it is "difficult to train public transportation workers to assist women in harassment prevention and response." Yeah, it's too hard...

Victim blaming is not isolated to China, of course. In fact, victim blaming is so bad in Scotland that there are PSAs to educate men. 

I'm hopeful because Scotland is taking the issue on, but frustrated because I can't believe that we have not figured this out yet.

Last month I had a speaker from Downeast HealthServices speak to my women's studies students regarding sexual assault in Maine. Her information was fascinating, shocking, scary, and enlightening. At the end she asked us, "So, what can you do to avoid rape?" and we said, "Carry a whistle, walk with friends if you're out after dark..." you know, all those things that victims should to to make ourselves safer. But then she shared this list with us - and a light came on for all of us:

If you have been a victim of sexual assault, there are organizations to help you. Click here for more information.