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Sexual Violence Myths |
Last updated: 18 February 2008
There are many preconceived ideas about sexual violence.
Below are some examples how wrong some of these ideas are!
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Myths |
Reality |
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Most rapes are committed by strangers |
Only 11% of rapes are committed by strangers. 51% are by a partner or ex-partner, and 38% are committed by an acquaintance |
| Rape is about sexual gratification | Rape and sexual assault have nothing to do with sexual gratification. The motivating factor for an offender is to control and have power over their victim. Sex is the weapon. |
| Men cannot control their sexual urges |
It is very patronising to men to say that they cannot control themselves. Most men would never sexually violate another person. Sexual violence is a choice made freely by the perpetrator - if four burly police officers suddenly appeared, as a man was about to rape a female, he would be able to control his sexual urge then! |
| Only women can be raped | Men and women can be raped just as perpetrators can be male or female. You are more at risk between the ages of 16 - 24. Of the 14,449 rapes in 2004-05 92% of victims were female and 8% male. |
| There is no rape if the victim didn't fight, run away or no injuries sustained |
Threats of violence are a weapon, and a woman or man may not resist vigorously for fear of injury or death. Some people freeze in these situations while others fight back. Until you are faced with this situation, you do not know how you will react. How people react depends on who their attacker is. Sexual violence is not just defined by the physical injuries sustained, it is the the psychological injuries that endure the longest. |
| Women often falsely accuse men of sexual assault or rape | Less than 5% of allegations of rape are false. It is a vastly underreported crime, less than 20% of women will report it to the police and even fewer men. Only 6% of reported rapes result in a conviction. mainly due to no independent witnesses - it is often one person's word against another. |
| Women who wear provocative clothing are 'asking for it' | Women have the right to dress in anyway they feel comfortable. Her body always belongs to her and no one has any right to touch her without consent. |
| Male rape only occurs in same sex relationships | Heterosexual and homosexual men can and sexually assaulted. Men, whatever their sexual orientation, are not brought up to anticipate the possibility of sexual violence the same way women are. This prevalent myth also acts to stop heterosexual men from reporting, as they fear their sexuality may be questioned. |
| If a woman is raped or sexually assaulted after drinking then she must take part of the responsibility | The responsibility of a sexual attack lies completely with the attacker, not the victim, irrespective of how much alcohol is consumed. Alcohol is not the cause of sexual assaults, but it does increase the risk of being sexually assaulted, as the victim may be incapable of giving consent or defending himself or herself |
| Prostitutes cannot be raped | Prostitutes can and are raped. They enter into an agreement prior to any sexual act taking place. If the client forces the prostitute to do something that was not agreed then it is a sexual assault. |
| It is not sexual assault or rape if a male victim ejaculates |
Penile erections and ejaculation are involuntary physical responses. A rapist will often ensure that the male victim ejaculates as it confuses the victim. Men equate ejaculation with sexual pleasure. Studies show that men in moments of extreme anxiety do maintain an erection and spontaneously ejaculate. |