In this excerpt from "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, Janine recounts the traumatic experience of being gang-raped at a young age, followed by an abortion. The narrative reveals a disturbing societal tendency to place blame on the victim, as Aunt Helena leads a chant that condemns Janine for the incident. This moment highlights the harsh judgment often directed at women, where their actions are scrutinized and they are held accountable for the violence inflicted upon them.

The repetition of "her fault" and the phrase "Teach her a lesson" underscore the damaging ideology that seeks to shame the victim rather than address the real perpetrator. The societal norms that allow such victim-blaming reflect a toxic culture where women’s sexuality is policed and misused as a justification for violence against them. This powerful testimony reveals the complexities of trauma and the struggle against a culture that perpetuates blame and shame instead of justice and support.