[LA_Banker]

The metaphor strikes me as somewhat self-explanatory. They could have done more to prevent it, sure, (just like a woman could avoid situations where rape is possible [I guess? I don't even think that's feasible]), but since the crime was committed against them, blaming the victim is just that: victim blaming.

It implies the only actor with agency in this scenario is the injured party. As though somehow the perpetrator was naturally bound to commit such an act – and is therefore absolved of guilt.

[formula1]

Exactly. It is victim blaming. But there is no need to bring in such a vision. When I come to this site I expect people to argue about macro politics, building scalable architectures and education. I dont expect to see an offhand comment relating an act on the political scale to someone being physically and emotionally abused.

[LA_Banker]

That's fair. The comparison was a little unexpected, stark, and a detour from normal HN fare, but I still thought it was apt. (YMMV)