Clay grew up in a chaotic home environment where psychological abuse and emotional neglect were prevalent. When he was 16, his mother moved out of state, leaving Clay to fend for himself. With nowhere to turn to for support, he sought comfort in a new relationship with a much older man, hoping to fill the emotional void.

Clay experienced victim blaming from society and extended family in several ways after his mother left. Many adults suggested that his mother’s abandonment was a result of Clay’s "rebellious" behavior during his teenage years, implying that if Clay had been more compliant or easier to manage, his mother would have stayed. Extended family members would often comment that Clay needed to "act more like a responsible adult" to keep his family intact, placing the burden of abandonment squarely on his shoulders. This narrative reinforced Clay’s feelings of shame and inadequacy, further complicating his emotional healing and trust in relationships.

Victims of abuse and neglect are often subjected to blame in various ways, both overt and subtle, by society, individuals, and sometimes even by themselves. Some common ways victims are blamed for their experiences include the following:

1. Blaming the child: This occurs when individuals or society attribute the abuse to the behavior or actions of the victim—for example, suggesting that a child was "asking for it" or "provoking" the abuse through their clothing, behavior, or demeanor. Cultural or religious beliefs may perpetuate victim-blaming........

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