Sexual Assault is unfortunately an all too common and vastly underreported crime. Statistics show 1 in 3 women will be raped in their lifetimes (The YWCA Rape Crisis Center of Santa Clara Valley and the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula)
This statistic is both scary and sobering, and it reveals the prevalence of this horrific problem. The worst part is its not even strangers perpetrating these crimes; its acquaintances, friends, boyfriends, even husbands (see stats below)! And yes there is such a thing as rape in a marriage. However, the topic deserves far more discussion than I can give it right now and will be discussed in a later post. For now I thought I'd expose the varying myths surrounding this devastating crime. I'm sure not all are covered below and know some are covered twice due to the importance I've put on them and coming across them twice. Please read and share. And stay safe.
XOXO,
Lavender Skye
Sexual assault defined:
any unwanted physical contact of a sexual
nature that occurs without consent from both individuals or under threat
or coercion. Whether by an acquaintance or by a stranger, sexual assault
can occur either forcibly and/or against a person's will, or when a person
is incapable of giving consent.
By law, sexual assault includes but is not limited to rape, forcible sodomy, forcible oral copulation, sexual assault with an object, sexual battery, forcible fondling (e.g., unwanted touching or kissing for purposes of sexual gratification), or threat of sexual assault.
By law, sexual assault includes but is not limited to rape, forcible sodomy, forcible oral copulation, sexual assault with an object, sexual battery, forcible fondling (e.g., unwanted touching or kissing for purposes of sexual gratification), or threat of sexual assault.
A person is legally incapable of giving consent if under 18
years of age, intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol, developmentally
disabled, or mentally or physically unable to do so.*
Common Myths and Facts of Rape:
Myth:
Rape has to do with sex and passion.*
Reality: Rape has to do with interpersonal violence.
Reality: Rape has to do with interpersonal violence.
MYTH: Sexual assault is a crime of passion and lust.**
FACT: Sexual assault is a crime of violence. Assailants seek to dominate, humiliate and punish their victims.
FACT: Sexual assault is a crime of violence. Assailants seek to dominate, humiliate and punish their victims.
Myth:
Only women are sexually assaulted or raped, and only by men.*
Reality: Both men and women can be sexually assaulted or raped, and assailants can be male or female with any sexual orientation.
Reality: Both men and women can be sexually assaulted or raped, and assailants can be male or female with any sexual orientation.
MYTH: It is impossible to sexually assault a man.**
FACT: Men fall victim for the same reasons as women: they are overwhelmed by threats or acts of physical and emotional violence. Also, most sexual assaults that involve an adult male victim are gang assaults.
FACT: Men fall victim for the same reasons as women: they are overwhelmed by threats or acts of physical and emotional violence. Also, most sexual assaults that involve an adult male victim are gang assaults.
Myth:
Someone who was drinking or drunk when sexually assaulted is at least partially
to blame.*
Reality: Sexual assault survivors are never responsible for the attack, no matter what, no matter how much alcohol was consumed. Responsibility lies with the perpetrator; the survivor is never responsible for the assailant's behavior. Alcohol may increase the risk of sexual assault, and may make someone incapable of giving consent or protecting themselves, but it is not the cause of the assault.
Reality: Sexual assault survivors are never responsible for the attack, no matter what, no matter how much alcohol was consumed. Responsibility lies with the perpetrator; the survivor is never responsible for the assailant's behavior. Alcohol may increase the risk of sexual assault, and may make someone incapable of giving consent or protecting themselves, but it is not the cause of the assault.
MYTH: Persons who dress or act in a "sexy" way are asking to be sexually assaulted.**
FACT: Many convicted sexual assailants are unable to remember what their victims looked like or were wearing. Nothing a person does or does not do causes a brutal crime like sexual assault.
FACT: Many convicted sexual assailants are unable to remember what their victims looked like or were wearing. Nothing a person does or does not do causes a brutal crime like sexual assault.
Myth: It's not rape if the couple is dating or is married.*
Reality:
Unwanted sexual activity in any relationship qualifies as sexual assault.
MYTH: It is impossible for a husband to sexually assault his wife.**
FACT: Regardless of marital or social relationship, if a woman does not consent to sexual activity, she is being sexually assaulted. In fact, 14% of women are victims of rape committed by their husband.
FACT: Regardless of marital or social relationship, if a woman does not consent to sexual activity, she is being sexually assaulted. In fact, 14% of women are victims of rape committed by their husband.
Myth:
Most victims are raped by strangers, in unfamiliar places or on dark nights.*
Reality: It is estimated that 80-85% of rapists are known to the adult they attack. "Acquaintance rape" by a friend, new acquaintance, or coworker is frequent, particularly among young, single women. Statistics show that 50% of sexual assaults occur in or around a woman's home, 50% during the day.
Reality: It is estimated that 80-85% of rapists are known to the adult they attack. "Acquaintance rape" by a friend, new acquaintance, or coworker is frequent, particularly among young, single women. Statistics show that 50% of sexual assaults occur in or around a woman's home, 50% during the day.
MYTH: Assailants are usually crazed psychopaths who do not know their victims.**
FACT: As many as 80% of all assaults involve acquaintances. An assailant might be someone you know intimately. He may be a coworker, a friend or a family member.
FACT: As many as 80% of all assaults involve acquaintances. An assailant might be someone you know intimately. He may be a coworker, a friend or a family member.
Myth:
Women often falsely accuse men of sexual assault or rape (for example,
to get back at them, or because they regret or feel guilty about having
sex).*
Reality: Nearly all rapes are truthfully reported, and, in fact, rapes are vastly underreported.
Reality: Nearly all rapes are truthfully reported, and, in fact, rapes are vastly underreported.
MYTH: Many women claim that they have been sexually assaulted because they want revenge upon the man they accuse.**
FACT: Only 4-6% of sexual assault cases are based on false accusation. This percentage of unsubstantiated cases is the same as with many other
reported crimes.
FACT: Only 4-6% of sexual assault cases are based on false accusation. This percentage of unsubstantiated cases is the same as with many other
reported crimes.
Myth:
Rapists have psychological problems.*
Reality: Most assailants are males with no history of mental disorder.
Reality: Most assailants are males with no history of mental disorder.
Myth:
Perpetrators of sexual assault come largely from certain races or backgrounds.*
Reality: Men and women of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, economic and social classes are represented among assailants.
Reality: Men and women of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, economic and social classes are represented among assailants.
MYTH: In most cases, black men attack white women.**
FACT: In most sexual assault cases, the assailant and his victim are of the same racial background.
Myth:
Only young women are at risk.*
Reality: Women of all ages are at risk, and 1 in 4 women will be assaulted in the course of her lifetime.
Reality: Women of all ages are at risk, and 1 in 4 women will be assaulted in the course of her lifetime.
MYTH: Only young, pretty women are assaulted.**
FACT: Survivors range in age from infancy to old age, and their appearance is seldom a consideration. Assailants often choose victims who seem most vulnerable to attack: old persons, children, physically or emotionally disabled persons, substance abusers, and street persons. Men are also attacked.
FACT: Survivors range in age from infancy to old age, and their appearance is seldom a consideration. Assailants often choose victims who seem most vulnerable to attack: old persons, children, physically or emotionally disabled persons, substance abusers, and street persons. Men are also attacked.
Myth:
If the victim didn't fight or try to run away, or there was no weapon
or injuries sustained, rape did not occur.*
Reality: Threats of violence are a weapon, and a woman may not resist vigorously for fear of injury or death
Reality: Threats of violence are a weapon, and a woman may not resist vigorously for fear of injury or death
MYTH: Gang rape is rare.**
FACT: In 43% of all reported cases, more than one assailant was involved.
FACT: In 43% of all reported cases, more than one assailant was involved.
MYTH: A person who has really been assaulted will be hysterical.**
FACT: Survivors exhibit a spectrum of emotional responses to assault: calm, hysteria, laughter, anger, apathy, shock. Each survivor copes with the trauma of the assault in a different way.
MYTH: Sexual assault is an impulsive act.**
FACT: Seventy-five percent of all assaults are planned in advance. When three or more assailants are involved, 90% are planned. If two assailants are involved, 83% are planned. With one assailant, 58% are planned.
FACT: Survivors exhibit a spectrum of emotional responses to assault: calm, hysteria, laughter, anger, apathy, shock. Each survivor copes with the trauma of the assault in a different way.
MYTH: Sexual assault is an impulsive act.**
FACT: Seventy-five percent of all assaults are planned in advance. When three or more assailants are involved, 90% are planned. If two assailants are involved, 83% are planned. With one assailant, 58% are planned.
MYTH: As long as children remember to stay away from strangers, they are in no danger of being assaulted.**
FACT: Sadly, children are usually assaulted by acquaintances, a family member or other caretaking adult. Children are usually coerced into sexual activity by their assailant, and are manipulated into silence by the assailant's threats and/or promises, as well as their own feelings of guilt.
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