Victim blaming has now become the "predominant focus" in the Nicola Bulley case after police revealed intimate details about the missing woman's medical records, a barrister has said.
Dr Charlotte Proudman said if a man with similar issues went missing, he would not be treated in the same way as Nicola.
The expert, who specialises in violence against women, added that the focus now appears to have shifted from the 45-year-old mum's disappearance to her health issues.
The barrister said women after too often blamed for the situations they are in, but men do not face the same treatment.
Earlier this week, Lancashire Police said Nicola is being treated as a "high-risk" missing person.
They later revealed the woman had "some significant issues with alcohol" brought on by "ongoing struggles with menopause".
Speaking on LBC Radio this morning, the barrister told presenter Andrew Castle that revealing these details is not "material to the investigation" and that there is a risk of victim blaming, which is potentially harmful to all women.
The police said they revealed intimate details about Nicola as some people were tying to sell stories about her private life.
Dr Proudman went on to say: "What on earth is wrong with the state of humanity? I don't think a man would be treated in this way and that's because we often tend to see, when a woman experiences violence by men or a woman, in this case, has gone missing... is that you tend to find they end up being blamed for the situation that they're in."
She added: "Victim blaming becomes the predominant focus rather than the fact she's gone missing... for many women out there, they're worried about the implications that could have to them."
Nicola went missing while walking her springer spaniel Willow in the village of St Michael's on Wyre on January 27 after dropping off her two daughters at school.
Her phone, still connected to a work call for her job as a mortgage adviser, was found just over 20 minutes later on a bench overlooking the riverbank, with her dog running loose.
The search for her has since been extended to the sea, but she has not been found.
Her family have called for a stop to "speculation and rumour", adding: "The public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life."
A source close to the Home Secretary said Suella Braverman had outlined her concerns over the disclosure of personal details during a meeting with Chief Constable Chris Rowley and his senior team on Friday and "asked to be kept updated on the investigation".
Rishi Sunak said he was "concerned that private information was put into the public domain", telling broadcasters on Friday evening: "I'm pleased that the police are looking at how that happened in the investigation.
"Obviously my thoughts are with Nicola's friends and family and the focus must now be on continuing to try and find her."
Ms Bulley's father Ernie Bulley has said "every day is a struggle" since his daughter vanished.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday, he said: "[We're] no further on from three weeks ago.
"[We] just need a breakthrough to give us some hope."
In a press conference on Wednesday, Lancashire Police revealed Ms Bulley was classed as a "high-risk" missing person immediately after her partner reported her disappearance "based on a number of specific vulnerabilities".
They later added in a statement that she had been struggling with alcohol issues and the menopause, and had stopped taking HRT medication.
Information Commissioner John Edwards has said he will be asking the force about its decision to make the information public, adding: "Data protection law exists to ensure people's personal information is used properly and fairly.
"This includes ensuring personal details are not disclosed inappropriately."
Former victims' commissioner Dame Vera Baird said she believed the force had made a "dreadful error" in releasing the details.
Meanwhile, Lancashire Police confirmed a date had been set for an internal review into the investigation.
A police spokeswoman said: "A review of the investigation is diarised and will be conducted by our Head of Crime Detective Chief Superintendent Pauline Stables."
