As an icing to the poopcake of a week we’re having (Trump is president; bullies brutally beating up a teen; systemic condescension; Leonard Cohen’s dead), Teenage — the “No. 1 Youth Magazine in Singapore” — was spotted taking a huge dump on decency when they told a rape victim that she deserved it.
In a horrifying advice column found in this month’s issue, supposed confidante ‘Kelly’ was asked for guidance by a girl who felt guilty that she lied to her mother about staying over at a friends place. The girl confessed that she was actually staying over at a guy’s place, where one thing lead to another and she was raped in her drunken state.
PSA: the correct response to victims who disclose that they’ve been sexually assaulted is:
- Console them, listen to their anxieties and provide a comforting presence
- Don’t demand for details of the sexual assault
- Don’t try to ‘fix’ it by acting rashly or lodging police reports without their consent
- Refer them to the right places
And whatever you do, do not place the blame on the victim or criticise their actions and presumed sexual behaviour. Just don’t be a dick and slut-shame her.
Alas, Kelly didn’t get the memo. Instead of actually helping the poor girl, the writer unleashed a tirade of disgusting accusations of her naivety — essentially telling her that she deserved getting raped. Throughout the shitty ‘advice’ Kelly basically sided with the rapist, and that the victim only has herself to blame. Absolutely revolting.
Try not to puke out of rage reading some of what Kelly wrote, pictured in excruciating detail in Sara Janelle’s now viral Facebook post.
We’ve reached out to the Teenage team for their comments.
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