The Runaways' Jackie Fuchs Denounces Chrissie Hynde Rape Comments

The Runaways' Jackie Fuchs Denounces Chrissie Hynde Rape Comments
Jackie Fuchs pictured far right.
Jackie Fuchs of the Runaways and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders have both been involved in rape-related stories this year; the former came out to say late manager Kim Fowley sexually assaulted her in the '70s (only to have some of the details of her account questioned by her bandmates), while the latter was more recently accused of victim-blaming when she said that she took "responsibility" for being attacked at the age of 21. Now, Fuchs has responded to Hynde's comments.

Fuchs told Yahoo Music that, after reading Hynde's remarks, "I found myself being surprisingly angry." She continued, "Don't put your heroes on pedestals. But I don't want to cast a stone at Chrissie Hynde — just at that one particular statement. Because it's a really dangerous message."

She elaborated on why she considers Hynde's comments so destructive:


This whole controversy began when the Sunday Times asked Hynde about a passage in her memoir Reckless: My Life as a Pretender in which she writes about being sexually assaulted by a member of a motorcycle gang at the age of 21. Hynde said, "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 his fault. But if I'm being very lairy and putting it about and being provocative, then you are enticing someone who's already unhinged — don't do that. Come on! That's just common sense. You know, if you don't want to entice a rapist, don't wear high heels so you can't run from him. If you're wearing something that says 'Come and fuck me,' you'd better be good on your feet."

Reckless: My Life as a Pretender comes out on September 8 through Penguin Random House.