Stereotypes, gender norms, and victim blaming: Attributions of responsibility for stranger harassment

This qualitative study investigates how people in Saudi Arabia assign responsibility for stranger harassment, specifically examining culturally influenced views related to gender, morality, and blame. The research involved detailed semi-structured interviews with 36 Saudi adults (20 women and 16 men), aged 18 years and older. Using thematic analysis, the study found dominant ideas blaming women for harassment based on their appearance, behaviors, and emotional expressions. A recurring theme was the belief that men are inherently reactive to female presence and that women, therefore, bear a moral obligation to regulate male desire. Interestingly, many female participants also accepted these beliefs, reinforcing victim-blaming attitudes and indicating deep internalization of traditional gender norms. Additional culturally specific themes emerged, including women's vulnerability and their need for male protection, as well as the challenges women face due to increased visibility in mixed-gender settings. The findings emphasize the importance of culturally appropriate programs to challenge existing stereotypes and encourage shared responsibility in preventing harassment, especially as Saudi society experiences rapid social transformations under programs like Vision 2030.