This Powerful Photo Series is Challenging Rape Victim Blaming

​Nothing has brought as much attention to the shocking reality of rape culture and victim blaming than the recent Stanford rape case, and the letter the victim read to her attacker in court.

The world was angry, disappointed and in shock. And while the whole case was awful, it brought to light the way we shame victims without even noticing, and people began to think differently about the way they discuss rape. Now, in response to this urgent need to fight back against our culture of victim shaming, photographer Yana Mazurveck has taken a powerful series of images depicting women holding up statements that victims of sexual assault often hear.

The images look at various ways in which our everyday actions can be twisted to appear as though we're done something inappropriate. No, walking alone doesn't mean you deserve it. No, your drink being spiked wasn't your fault. No, having a boyfriend doesn't mean you automatically consent. And no - you should NEVER expect to be raped.

Rape and sexual assault is never your fault, and we really hope that these images can help the world to see that, too.