Session 4 - The Blame Game

This is Bert Blue.

Last week he was mugged at knifepoint. His laptop, phone and wallet were stolen. He immediately called the police.

This is Police Officer Margaret Orange.

The day after the mugging, Bert was interviewed by Officer Orange.

Officer Orange: “Hello Bert, I hope it’s alright to call you Bert.  So, Bert, you were mugged at knifepoint last night?” Bert nodded. He was shaken and upset.

Officer Orange continued: “Did you fight back?”Bert was surprised at the question. He shook his head. He hadn’t fought back.

Officer Orange looked astonished as she asked: “Why not?” Bert was affronted: “Because he had a knife, I was really scared!”

Officer Orange seemed dismissive: “Did you shout for help? Did you scream?” Bert was getting crosser: “I was too scared to do anything except what he told me to.”

Officer Orange seemed to be judging Bert as she said, “Oh, I see. Have you been mugged before?” “No”, said Bert, confused about why Officer Orange would be asking this. Officer Orange moved on, “Do you have a history of giving money away?” Bert had no idea where she was going with this, “Well yes” he said, “I regularly give money to charity.”

Officer Orange sounded disapproving as she asked Bert, “Well Mr Blue, you’ve given money away before?!  You have quite a reputation for supporting charity. How can we be sure that you didn’t plan to have your money taken from you by force?”

Bert was outraged, but before he could say anything Officer Orange changed the subject: “What time did this mugging take place Mr Blue?” On learning from Bert that the incident happened in the evening. Officer Orange looked shocked as she exclaimed, “You were out, on the street, at 10:30 P.M.? What were you doing?”

Upon learning from Bert that he had been walking home from the train station, Officer Orange was deeply disapproving, “Walking home?! How irresponsible! You know it’s dangerous being out so late at night. Weren’t you aware that you could have been mugged?”

She didn’t wait for an answer. Instead Officer Orange immediately asked Bert another question, “What were you wearing when this incident took place?” Bert was utterly incensed, but he didn’t want to give the officer any ammunition to disbelieve him or think him overly emotional, so he answered as calmly as he could, “I was wearing my business suit.”

“Oh!” responded Officer Orange, “Was it an expensive suit?” Taking a few breaths to remain calm, Bert answered, “Well yes. I’m a successful business man, what else would I be wearing?”

Officer Orange was exasperated, “What you’re telling me, Mr Blue, is that you were outside, late at night, walking, in a suit that practically advertised you as a good target for some easy money, isn’t that right? I mean, if we didn’t know better, Mr. Blue, we might even think that you were asking for it!

The next day, media reporting of Bert Blue’s mugging included a newspaper headline: “Father gives away money at knifepoint”

And a morning TV discussion show asked, “Should men take some responsibility for being mugged?”