Sexual Assault Myths and Facts

MYTH: Most women are raped by strangers.

FACT: At least two-thirds of all rapes involve persons who are known to each other. 1/4 of college women have been victims of rape or attempted rape and close to 90% knew their attackers. In Delaware > 80% of offenders are known to the victim.

MYTH: Rape has to do with sex and passion.

FACT: Rape is not about sexual desire but is a crime of violence expressed through sex. The rapist wants power and control over the victim. Force and/or the threat of force is used.

MYTH: When a woman says "no" she really means "yes".

FACT: This myth denies the man's responsibility in the rape. If a woman says "no" to sex, then the man must respect that. The fact is, "no" means "no".

MYTH: Women cry rape to get back at someone.

FACT: The FBI has stated that only 1-2% of rape reports are suspected to be false. This is approximately the same rate of false reports as that for all other crimes. And for every rape that is reported, 10 to 20 are estimated as being unreported.

MYTH: Women provoke rape by their behavior and dress.

FACT: No one asks to be raped. Women have a right to dress any way they wish. It is the rapist who decides to force sex on the victim. The rapist looks for a woman who is accessible and vulnerable, not one who is sexy. Most rapists can not even recall what the victim looked like...remember choice is based on VULNERABILITY.

MYTH: Rape is the victim's fault: "If she didn't want to do it, why did she go to his place? She knew what kind of guy he was!" "You know how she gets when she's drunk. " "Oh, she sleeps around."

FACT: Statements such as these put the blame on the victim and not on the offender. Rape is never the victim's fault. Even if she did something that puts her in a vulnerable position, she did not ask to be sexually assaulted.

MYTH: It's not as traumatic to be raped by someone you know.

FACT: Just because the victim knows the rapist doesn't make it any less a crime or any easier to deal with. Often the emotional impact of acquaintance rape seems greater than that of stranger rape. Also, the victim may have a strong feeling that no one will believe her. Her trust in others and in her own judgment is violated.

MYTH: Rapists are mentally ill.

FACT: The majority of rapists are ordinary guys who believe in the myths of the stereotypical macho male and have no history of mental disorders.

MYTH: Only young and attractive females are raped.

FACT: While age and gender may be risk factors, in Delaware victims have ranged in age from 4 months to 92 years.

MYTH: "Rape will never happen to me."

FACT: ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE A T RISK FOR RAPE. Even men and boys are victims of rape. 1 in 4 women will be raped in their lifetimes. In Delaware, an average of 600 rapes are reported each year.

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