Is it the victim's responsibility to resist a sexual assault?

The statement that it is the victim's responsibility to resist a sexual assault is false. This answer is grounded in the understanding that the responsibility for sexual assault lies solely with the perpetrator, not the victim. Victims may experience a range of emotional and physical responses to an assault, including fear, shock, and confusion, which can affect their ability to resist or respond in any specific way. It is crucial to recognize that consent must always be given freely and enthusiastically, and if a person does not consent, they are not responsible for what happens next. Blaming victims for not resisting can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and is detrimental to the healing process. Instead, society needs to support victims and hold aggressors accountable for their actions.