Kidnapped at knifepoint from her bedroom in the middle of the night, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was held captive for over nine months by a drifter and his female companion. When police finally found her and the details of her captivity were widely publicized, some observers publicly questioned why the girl never tried to escape or get the attention of the police. Such responses illustrate an attributional pattern called:

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Blaming the victim is a common attributional pattern where individuals might blame the victim of a crime, assault or abuse for their own suffering. In this case, some people questioned why Elizabeth Smart did not try to escape or seek help, thus placing the blame on her for her captivity. Such comments suggest a lack of understanding of the emotional and psychological consequences of trauma and victimization.

Kidnapped at Knifepoint from Her Bedroom in the Middle of the Night