Myths & Misconceptions
Sexual assault myths are beliefs held within our society that place blame on victims and justify the actions of perpetrators. These beliefs affect everyone and have impact on how sexual violence and victims are perceived and treated.
Sexual violence myths are related to gender role stereotypes that portray women as passive and sexually available and men as aggressive and sexually uncontrollable. The myths are also related to oppressive belief systems, including homophobia, racism and sexism, which maintain that certain individuals or groups of individuals are "inferior" and other groups have the right to take what they want.
Common Sexual Assault Myths
There are many myths surrounding sexual assault. A few of the common myths include:
- Myth: Sexual assaults happen on dark streets and alleyways.
- Fact: The vast majority of assaults occur in either the victim's or the perpetrator's house.
- Myth: Most sexual assault involve strangers.
- Fact: Most sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.
- Myth: "No" sometimes means "Yes."
- Fact: No" always means "No." In fact, the only way to know for sure that someone is consenting is to ask them.
- Myth: A person can avoid sexual assault if they really want to.
- Fact: The only way a person can "avoid" sexual assault is to lock themself away and never come into contact with other people.
- Myth: After paying for dinner, entertainment and drinks you deserve something in return.
- Fact: All anyone deserves following an expensive date is a "thank you." If money is a concern, discuss sharing expenses.
- Myth: Sexual assault only happens to a few people.
- Fact: Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, class, age, or any other factor.
- Myth: If someone dresses and acts provocatively, she or he is asking to be raped.
- Fact: How a person dresses or acts is not indicative of whether or not they want to have sex.
- Myth: If someone was drunk they deserved to be raped.
- Fact: No one deserves to be raped, whether they were drinking or not.
- Myth: If you had sex before then you owe it to the other person to have sex again.
- Fact: It doesn't matter if you had sex once or many times with a person before, each time it is your choice whether or not you want to have sex. If someone forces you to have sex and you don't want to, it is rape.
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