Men and boys are also sexually assaulted, as well as persons with disabilities. Offenders often choose people whom they perceive as most vulnerable to attack or over whom they believe they can assert power. Sexual assault is a crime of power and control. Myth: Only young, pretty women are assaulted.įact: The belief that only young, pretty women are sexually assaulted stems from the myth that sexual assault is based on sex and physical attraction.Just because a person does not report the sexual assault does not mean it did not happen. There is also the fear of being blamed, not being believed and being required to go through judicial proceedings. Another reason for delaying a report or not making a report is the fear of retaliation by the offender. The experience of retelling what happened may cause the person to relive the trauma. It is not easy to talk about being sexually assaulted and can feel very shameful. If they do not report it or delay in reporting it, then they must have changed their minds after it happened, wanted revenge or didn’t want to look like they were sexually active.įact: There are many reasons why a sexual assault victim may not report the assault to the police or campus officials. Myth: All sexual assault victims will report the crime immediately to the police.Assumptions about the way a victim “should act” may be detrimental to the victim because each victim copes in different ways. There is no “right way” to react to being sexually assaulted. Reaction to the assault and the length of time needed to process through the experience vary with each person. Being sexually assaulted is a very traumatic experience. Myth: A person who has really been sexually assaulted will be hysterical.įact: Victims of sexual violence exhibit a spectrum of responses to the assault which can include: calm, hysteria, withdrawal, anxiety, anger, apathy, denial and shock.Myth: Rape can be avoided if women avoid dark alleys or other “dangerous” places where strangers might be hiding or lurking.įact: Rape and sexual assault can occur at any time, in many places, to anyone.It is important to remember that sexual assault can occur in both heterosexual and same-gender relationships. Most often, a boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, classmate, friend, acquaintance or co-worker sexually victimized the person. A study of sexual victimization of college women showed that about 90% of victims knew the person who sexually victimized them. It’s not rape if the people involved know each other.įact: Most sexual assaults and rape are committed by someone the victim knows. Myth: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.A person who is incapacitated due to the influence of alcohol or drugs is not able to consent to sexual activity. A person under the influence does not cause others to assault her/him others choose to take advantage of the situation and sexually assault her/him because s/he is in a vulnerable position. Myth: It is not sexual assault if it happens after drinking or taking drugs.įact: Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not an invitation for sexual activity.When someone says “no” or “stop,” that means “STOP!” Sexual activity forced upon another without valid consent is sexual assault. When in doubt if the person is comfortable with an elevated level of sexual activity, stop and ask. Even if a person went voluntarily to someone’s home or room and consented to engage in some sexual activity, it does not serve as blanket consent for all sexual activity. If something happens later, s/he can’t claim that s/he was raped or sexually assaulted because s/he should have known not to go to those places.įact: This “assumption of risk” wrongfully places the responsibility of the offender’s action with the victim. Myth: If a person goes to someone’s room or house or goes to a bar, s/he assumes the risk of sexual assault.Forcing someone to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault, regardless of the way that person dresses or acts. Neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behaviors are invitations for unwanted sexual activity. Myth: Victims provoke sexual assaults when they dress provocatively or act in a promiscuous manner.įact: Rape and sexual assault are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person’s determination to exercise power over another.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |