Counseling & Career Development Center

Myths and Realities of Sexual Assault

MYTH: Rape is a sexual crime, impulsively committed by a man for sexual gratification.
REALITY: Rape is a crime of violence and aggression. It is intended to overpower, degrade, and humiliate the victim.

MYTH: Rape does not happen very often.
REALITY: Rape is the most frequently committed violent crime in the United States.

MYTH: Most rapes are committed by a stranger in a dark place, at night.
REALITY: It is estimated that 50% to 70% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. Nearly half of all assaults occur in the victim's home. Many acquaintance rapes occur in the context of a dating relationship.

MYTH: Rape is the victim's fault. Women provoke rape by how they behave, dress, or where they choose to go.
REALITY: Rape is NEVER the victim's fault. If a woman wants to be involved sexually with a man, force or threats of physical violence would not be necessary.

MYTH: In a dating situation, when a woman says "no" she really means "yes" or "maybe."
REALITY: This myth has been perpetrated to deny the man's responsibility. That fact is that NO means NO.

MYTH: Women report rapes to get even with men or to protect their reputations.
REALITY: According to the FBI, fewer than 2% of reported rapes are false, which is the same percentage for the false reporting of other crimes.

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