My friend was raped and completly blames herself…

Basically, one of my best friends was raped on Saturday night. We were at a Birthday party and we both got very drunk. At some point a guy got her to leave with him and then forced her to give him oral sex.
She told me on Sunday. And it was extra casual (which I thought was weird, but who am I to say how someone’s supposed to deal with these things?). Of course my reaction was you need to call the cops, report this to someone! But she disagreed. She said that she simply needs to learn from the situation. I said learn what you didn’t do anything. She said she needs to learn to be more aware and less easily to trust. But that’s not true. This guy just needs to learn how not to be a rapist.
Her parents found out that night, because her brother came to pick her up and she started crying and told him, he did the right thing and told their parents. But her parents didn’t do the right thing. They didn’t take her to the hospital or the police station. The lectured her about being safer, completely blaming her.
Obviously, I’m upset about this for two reasons. One, my best friend was raped. Two, her and her family by into everything they’ve ever been told. It wasn’t her fault, but they think it was. She has to learn nothing, but they think she does.
At this point I really, just don’t know what to do. I know she has to decide what to do for herself and I’ve tried to push her in the report it direction, but I don’t think she will, because her family is obviously a stronger force than I am.

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

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