Harvey Talbert, Las Vegas

Wed, Aug 27, 2008 (2:03 a.m.)

I am writing in support of an editorial appearing Aug. 19 in the Las Vegas Sun, “Stop blaming the victims: State program can deny compensation to rape victims based on their ‘conduct.’ ”

It occurred to me that if I had been carjacked in my new Chevy truck, I would have been contributing to the crime by driving an expensive vehicle, and I would have been contributing to the crime by carrying money around with me because the robber would have known that most people do carry money.

I do not believe a rape victim should be any more responsible for a sex crime perpetrated against her than I believe other victims’ “crimes” should be partly their responsibility.

The perpetrator is the sole responsible party. Let’s get realistic and blame those responsible for crime.