[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

You can be passive aggressive and flippant about it all day but it's not really helpful, nor is it a debate? By using the word "teasing" you're still replying as though anyone has tried to defend or justify the guy's actions or has suggested that he shouldn't be arrested and charged with serious assault, which literally no one has.

Also... Yes... Walking around at night flashing a handful of cash or an expensive watch WOULD be potentially dangerous? Advising caution isn't victim blaming.

A pretty basic example; I don't leave cash / my phone / etc. sitting on the counter when I move away from it. Because people can (and do) lean over the counter to steal. It's happened to several people I know. If I left my phone there and it was stolen... Would it be my fault? No. Would it stop the person who stole it from being a thieving scumbag? Would it mean they shouldn't be charged? Or that I wouldn't be angry? No, no and no.

None of that means that precautions shouldn't be taken or that those things won't happen because they shouldn't happen.

Or,

No one walks home alone through a notoriously bad area of town and doing so is pretty reckless. No one starts crying foul when people advise others not to do it, though, do they?

Etc. etc. etc.

So likewise, telling people clearly: if you get into a drunken verbal confrontation, you might get punched in the head.

Is true, valid, and sensible. It's good advice for everyone. It's not excusing violence.

Women get blamed for being victims of crimes, men very very rarely do. Fact.