MYTHS & REALITIES

There still exist today a great number of myths about sexual assault.  Often, these myths are deeply rooted in culture, religion or the values of a dominant society.  In order to effectively eliminate sexual assault from our society we must first dispel many of these myths.  While not all myths can be discussed, a review of some of the more obvious is provided. 

Myth	Reality
Sexual assault is a crime of passion or sex.	Sexual assault is a crime of violence with sex used as a weapon.
Sexual assault happens to other women, not me!	Until we can eliminate sexual assault from our society, no woman can feel freedom from attack.
Only young, beautiful women are sexually assaulted.	Women of all ages are sexually assaulted.
Women say NO when they really mean YES.	All women have the right to say YES or NO and should be taken at their word.
Women who are sexually assaulted must have asked for it.	No woman wants or enjoys being sexually assaulted.  It is an act committed against her will.
Men sexually assault because of loss of control.	Studies of convicted offenders indicate the majority or sexual assaults are premeditated.  Men CAN control their sexual urges and it is their responsibility.
Men who sexually assault do so because they are mentally or emotionally unbalanced.	Research indicates that most sexual offenders are considered 'normal' by friends and colleagues.
The typical sexual offender is a stranger to the victim.	Actually the majority of offenders are known by the victim.  They may be a neighbour, friend of a friend, colleague, an acquaintance...
Women are sexually assaulted in dark alleys, parks, cars or at night.	While these scenarios do present a definite threat most sexual assaults occur in a home.  The victim may have opened her door to a neighbour, serviceman, colleague, etc. The sexual offender may have broken into the home.
A woman who has not been battered and/or bruised must not have been sexually assaulted	Lack of broken bones or bruises does not indicate a woman has not been sexually assaulted.  Often threats of violence cause the woman to freeze and not fight back.
Women often cry rape falsely for reasons of revenge, pregnancy or to protect their reputations	False accusations of rape occur in the same frequency as for other crimes, no more or less.