Chrissie Hynde Criticised For Rape Remarks

Chrissie Hynde, founding member of the Pretenders, has courted criticism after saying that women should not complain if they dress provocatively and then get sexually assaulted.

Hynde, who has herself been raped, told The Sunday Times: "If I'm walking around and I'm very modestly dressed and I'm keeping to myself and someone attacks me, then I'd say that's (the attacker's) fault.

"But if I'm being very lairy and putting it about and being provocative, then you are enticing someone who is already unhinged - don't do that. Come on! That's just common sense."

The 63-year-old's new book - Reckless - tells of her punk rebellion, drug-fuelled excess, and how she was sexually assaulted while high on drugs.

She had been 21 when she encountered a motorcycle gang in her home state of Ohio and when the members offered to take her to a party, she accepted. They drove her to an abandoned house where she was forced to perform sex acts.

In her book she writes: "Now let me assure you that, technically speaking, however you want to look at it, this was all my doing and I take full responsibility.

"You can't f*** about with people, especially people who wear 'I heart rape' and 'on you knees' badges."

When she spoke to The Sunday Times, she refused to condemn the men who assaulted her, saying: "They're motorcycle guys. If you play with fire, you get burnt. It's not any secret, is it?

"I don't think I'm saying anything controversial."

Sarah Green of End Violence Against Women Coalition said this attitude was among the reason for figures suggesting only 10% of victims report sexual assaults to police.

She said: "It's because so many are sitting blaming themselves, they are not going to tell a police officer and go through it all again.

"They are thinking: 'I'm not sure it's not my fault. Maybe I should have done this or that'.

"Victims will often have a need to tell themselves: 'It won't happen again because I won't do the things that made it happen in the first place'.

"It's simply psychological behaviour but, of course, it's missing out the perpetrator. A woman's behaviour does not create an entitlement to assault."

Lucy Hastings, director of the charity Victim Support, said: "Victims of sexual violence should never feel or be made to feel that they were responsible for the appalling crime they suffered - regardless of circumstances or factors which may have made them particularly vulnerable.

"It is critical that nothing deters victims of sexual violence from coming forward to the police or to independent organisations so they can get the help and support they need."