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by Our News Desk
PRETENDERS singer Chrissie Hynde was criticised yesterday after accusing some rape victims of “enticing” their attackers.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, the 63-year-old said she blamed herself for being forced to perform sexual acts under the threat of violence by a member of a motorcycle gang in the US.
Ohio bikers promised to take a 21-year-old Ms Hynde to a party but instead took her to an empty house where they raped her — which she said was “all my doing and I take full responsibility.”
She said: “You can’t fuck about with people, especially people who wear ‘I Heart Rape’ and ‘On Your Knees’ badges … those motorcycle gangs, that’s what they do.
“I mean, I was naive.”
Ms Hynde went on to say that women who dress “provocatively” while walking down the street drunk are also to blame if they are attacked.
“If I’m walking around in my underwear and I’m drunk? Who else’s fault can it be?”
She explained: “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 — don’t do that. Come on! That’s just common sense. 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 fuck me’, you’d better be good on your feet … I don’t think I’m saying anything controversial am I?”
Charity Victim Support condemned her comments, saying victims “should not blame themselves.”
Victim Support director Lucy Hastings said: “Victims of sexual violence should never feel or be made to feel that they were responsible for the appalling crime they suffered — regardless of circumstances or factors which may have made them particularly vulnerable.
“Often they will have been targeted by predatory offenders who are responsible for their actions.
“It is critical that nothing deters victims of sexual violence from coming forward to the police or to independent organisations so they can get the help and support they need.”
