There are many myths and misconceptions that exist about rape and
sexual assault. These myths usually blame the victim or make excuses
for the offender's behaviours. Remember there are no excuses for
sexual assault. Because of these myths, many victim/survivors of
rape and sexual assault find it difficult to report the crime to
the police or talk about their experience.
Some of the myths refer specifically to women, some to men and some
to both genders.
Common MYTHS about WOMEN and
rape and sexual assault include: |
Myth |
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Fact |
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Women enjoy being raped/sexually
assaulted |
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Rape and sexual assault is a frightening
and humiliating experience during which the victim has no control
over what happens. No one enjoys being raped/sexually assaulted.
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Women provoke rape by the way they
dress or behave.
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No woman asks or deserves to be
raped/sexually assaulted. Sexual offenders use a variety of
excuses to justify their behaviours. |
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Nice girls don't get raped/sexually
assaulted. |
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All women are vulnerable to rape/sexual
assault. |
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It is a man's right to have sex
with his wife, partner, girlfriend whenever he wants to.
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Forcing a person to
have sex when they are not consenting is rape/sexual assault. |
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Men are entitled to have sex with
women if they take them out and pay for the meal. |
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Paying for drinks or meals does
not entitle men to have sex with women when they are not consenting.
Sex that is unwanted, forced, bullied or manipulated is RAPE.
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Common MYTHS about MEN and
rape and sexual assault include: |
Myth |
|
Fact |
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Men who rape other
men are homosexual.
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Men who rape are
often heterosexual. They
choose to rape other men as part of an act of violence and
power and dominance. |
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Men who rape/sexually assault
people are sick, perverts or psychopaths. |
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Sexual offenders are
mostly men from all socioeconomic backgrounds, professions and
nationalities. There is no typical sexual offender. Most sexual
offenders look and act like ordinary men and lead ordinary
lives. |
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Men cannot be raped/sexually
assaulted because they are strong enough to defend themselves. |
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Rape/sexual assault
can happen to anyone, including men, regardless of physical
size and strength. |
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Men don't get raped/sexually
assaulted
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Statistics show that
8-10 percent of Yarrow Place clients are male. However due to
the high rate of unreported incidents, these statistics are not
representative of the actual prevalence of rape/sexual assault
on men.
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Common MYTHS about both WO/MEN and
rape and sexual assault include:
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Myth
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Fact
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All sexual offenders
are strangers. |
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Most sexual offenders
are men and are known to the victim, e.g. father, relative,
partner, boyfriends or boss.
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All rapes/sexual
assaults occur at night, in a dark street or a park. |
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Many rapes/sexual
assaults occur during the day. Over half of the rapes/sexual
assaults reported take place in the victim's or the offender's
home. |
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| Rape/sexual assault is an impulsive
act. |
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Most rapes/sexual assaults are planned.
The offenders have intention to harm another person. They typically
take advantage of a person who is in a vulnerable situation. |
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People
who are drunk or intoxicated are asking to be raped/sexually
assaulted. |
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Being under the influence of
drugs or alcohol makes a person vulnerable and unable to give
consent. Being in a vulnerable position does not imply consent. |
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If the
person didn't scream of fight it could not have been rape/sexual
assault. |
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Many victims are not able to
scream. They have been threatened and so have become paralysed
with fear, which means they are unable to fight back. They may
also fear further violence from their attacker if they struggle. |
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Anyone
can prevent rape/sexual assault if they want to. |
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This belief assumes that no
one can be forced into sex. Most rapes/sexual assaults involve
threats of physical harm, or actual physical force. |
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It
is impossible for one man to rape/sexually assault a person unless
he has a gun or knife. |
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Sexual offenders do not need
a weapon to terrify victims into submission. Many victims are
in fear of losing their lives or being hurt, regardless of
whether or not the attacker has a weapon. |
