MYTHS about SA

1. “She was asking for it”- shouldn’t have gone out alone at night, shouldn’t have worn this. Fact: In 86% of r**e cases against women, the victim knew the perpetrator, in 45% of cases it was a partner or ex-partner. No one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted. Women dress to feel comfortable and attractive. Perpetrators are responsible for their own actions.
2. If she didn’t say “no”, screamed, tried to run away then it wasn't SA. Fact: Everyone reacts differently to these situations. Being unable to move or speak is one of our bodies’ automatic responses to fear, it's also one of the reasons why lots of people don't have visible injuries after experiencing SA. Not saying “no” is not saying “yes”.
3. Women lie about being sexually assaulted because they regret having had sex with someone or they want revenge. Fact: Only 4% of SA allegations are suspected/found to be false. Most people who experience any form of sexual violence never tell the police.
4. Men of certain backgrounds are more likely to commit SA. Fact: There is no typical perpetrator. People who abuse others can come from any economic, ethnic, racial, age and social group.
5. Once a man gets turned on he can't help himself. Fact: There is absolutely no scientific basis behind this. Both men and women can control themselves. The majority of SAs are well planned and do not involve a loss of control on the perpetrator’s part. It is a serious crime and there is never any excuse for it.
6. Sex workers can't be r**d. Fact: What makes an intercourse r**e is whether or not someone gave their consent, therefore if a sex worker didn't give their consent then it was r**e.
7. Men can’t experience SA. Fact: 1 in 20 men have been SA as an adult, it is a equally painful and traumatic experience for them as it is for women.
8. A man who sexually assaults another man must be gay. Men who sexually assault other men are usually straight and can be in a relationship with a woman. SA is about the use of power and control, not about sexual attraction.
9. If someone is drinking or taking drugs it’s their own fault for getting assaulted. Fact: It is a crime to have sex with a person who cannot consent due to being intoxicated. It does not make it okay/it is not an excuse for the perpetrator to be intoxicated themselves.
10. People with disabilities do not get assaulted. They experience SA twice as much as able-bodied people.

Common myths about sexual assault (healthywa.wa.gov.au)

STATISTICS

Almost two thirds (62%) of students and graduates have experienced sexual violence at UK universities. 70% of female students and recent graduates have experienced sexual assault, as well as 26% of male students, 61% of non-binary students, and 73% of disabled students. That means more than half of women you know have or will experience SA at university.Only 2% of those experiencing sexual violence felt both able to report it to their university and were satisfied with the reporting process.

• 1 in 2 rapes against women are carried out by their partner or ex-partner
• 5 in 6 rapes against women are carried out by someone they know
• 1 in 3 adult victims and survivors of rape experience it in their own home

1 in 2 adult survivors of rape have experienced it more than once.9 in 10 girls and young women in schools- experience sexist name-calling and receive unwanted 'dick pics' or other images of a sexual nature.75% of respondents to a survey on sexual violence in Further Education reported having had unwanted sexual experiences at least once.

• 1 in 5 women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult
• 1 in 6 Children have been sexually abused
• 1 in 20 Men have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult
• 1 in 7 students have experienced domestic abuse.

Statistics about sexual violence and abuse | Rape Crisis England & Wales

 

Myth VS Fact

 

Myth #1

"A lot of victims lie about being raped or give false reports."

The Reality

Although reports differ in specific numbers, only 2-8% of rapes are falsely reported. In fact, evidence points towards most sexual assaults going unreported.

 

Myth #2

"If the victim didn't fight back, it isn't sexually assault."

The Reality

Many people experience what's called tonic immobility or a 'freeze response' in incredibly stressful situations. Fight and flight in response to danger is well known nowadays, but there's a third, lesser acknowledged response: freeze. Freezing often happens as the brain's way to minimise potential harm, as running or fighting back can often lead to more violence.

 

Myth #3

"Men can't be sexually assaulted."

The Reality

Research has shown that in reality, roughly 10% of rape victims are men, a number which is likely underreported due to stigma and this myth. Consent in sex matters regardless of gender identity, and if there's a lack of it for any reason, this constitutes sexual assault. Just like the identity of the person being assaulted doesn't matter, the identity of the person assaulting them also doesn't matter. Sexual assault can be perpetuated by anyone, regardless of gender or anything else.

 

Myth #4

"They were drunk — they didn't mean to."

The Reality

The perpetrator being drunk doesn't lessen the effect it has on the victim, which is the most important aspect. Being drunk is never an excuse. A person can't expect everything they say and do while drunk to be forgotten and the same goes with sexual assault. If someone finds themselves hurting others while drunk, they should seek help and cut down or stop drinking in the meantime.

 

Myth #5

"Most cases of sexual assault are committed by strangers."

The Reality

Research shows that a large majority of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim already knows, from acquaintances to domestic partners.

 

Myth #6

"Men of certain backgrounds are more likely to commit sexual assault."

The Reality

Myths that say men, or anyone, from a certain background are more likely to commit sexual assault play off bigotry while also downplaying the the truth: There is no 'typical rapist' and saying there is makes it harder for victims to come forward.

These are only a few of the many, many myths that surround the reality of sexual assault. While we can't list every single one, there's a good way to notice any others when you see them: remember that sexual assault is the result of a lack of consent. If there isn't a clear, freely given 'yes', there's no consent.