Myth: “The assault did not occur if it was not immediately reported to police.”
Fact: Rape is rarely reported. Victims may be afraid of the offender, intimidated, or not believed.
Myth: “If they recant, they are admitting they made the assault up.”
Fact: Many victims recant due to mistreatment experienced throughout the judicial process.
Myth: “If there is no physical evidence, rape did not occur.”
Fact: Physical evidence is not always likely to be found, even after an evidence collection kit is used.
Myth: “Rape occurs because women turn men on.”
Fact: Rapists often are not aroused when they perpetrate. Rape is not an act of sexual desire, but an act of violence.
Myth: “Only young women who flirt and are dressed provocatively are raped.”
Fact: Rape can happen to anyone of any appearance, race, age, gender, and socio-economic background.
Myth: “Women cannot rape men.”
Fact: A person of any gender can be targeted by a person of any gender.
Myth: “Rapists are sex crazed and cannot help themselves.”
Fact: Most offenders are determined to be of sound mind and criminally liable for their actions.
Myth: “Legalizing prostitution would reduce rates of rape.”
Fact: Rapists have access to safe and legal sex. Many rapists are in relationships at the time they offend.
Myth: “If a woman agrees to intimacy, she is agreeing to intercourse.”
Fact: Consent to one action does not mean consent is given for all acts.
Myth: “After someone says yes, they cannot change their mind and say no.”
Fact: Consent is ongoing and can be revoked at any time for any reason.
Myth: “Sexual assault usually occurs among strangers.”
Fact: Most sexual assaults occur by someone they are acquainted with or knew and trusted.
Myth: “Rape cannot occur in marriage or a relationship.”
Fact: A common form of intimate partner abuse is sexual.
Myth: “Most people who say they were raped are lying.”
Fact: Only around 2%-8% of reports of rape are determined to be false.
Myth: “Rape is just bad sex the woman regretted.”
Fact: Rape is a violent, criminal act and not “bad sex.”
Myth: “Rape happens because people decide to drink and make bad decisions.”
Fact: Completed with alcohol facilitation is often a planned act.
Myth: “Women want to be raped if they fantasize about it.”
Fact: The desire to be out of control in fantasy or role play is not a desire to be raped in real life.
Myth: “Some women enjoy being raped.”
Fact: Physiological response to sexual contact does not equate to enjoyment.
Myth: “If they did not fight off the attacker, they weren’t really raped.”
Fact: It is common to experience “frozen fright” response during a traumatic incident. Many victims also often do not fight back due to fear of further harm.
THE ASSAULT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT - RAPE IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RAPIST.