|
|
|
| Myth: |
Sexual assault is not a common problem. |
| Fact: |
Sexual assault is experienced by women every day. 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted in her life. 1 |
|
| Myth: |
Sexual assault is most often committed by strangers. |
| Fact: |
Women face the greatest risk of sexual assault from men they know, not strangers. 84% of those raped knew their attacker. 57% of those rapes occurred while on dates. 1 |
|
| Myth: |
The best way for a woman to protect herself from sexual assault is to avoid being alone at night in dark, deserted places, such as alleys or parking lots. |
| Fact: |
Most date rapes occur in either the victim’s or assailant’s home. 80% of sexual assaults occur in the home and 49% of sexually assaults occur in broad daylight. 2 Most sexual assaults do not fit the 'stranger-in-a-dark-alley' stereotype. There is a strong correlation between drinking and/or drugs and date rape. Currently, there is a trend towards non-consensual drug-induced sexual assaults. 3 |
|
| Myth: |
Women who are sexually assaulted "ask for it" by the way they dress or act. |
| Fact: |
The idea that women "ask for it" is often used by offenders to rationalize their behavior. It also blames the victim for the crime, not the offender. Victims of sexual assault report a wide range of dress and actions at the time of the assault. Any woman of any age and physical type, in almost any situation, can be sexually assaulted. If a woman is sexually assaulted, it is not her fault. No woman ever "asks" or deserves to be sexually assaulted. Whatever a woman wears, wherever she goes, whomever she talks to, "no" means "no". It's the law. A drug-induced sexual assault is non-consensual and therefore also means "no". |
|
| Myth: |
Men who sexually assault women are either mentally ill or sexually starved. |
| Fact: |
Men who sexually assault are not mentally ill or sexually starved. Studies on the profiles of rapists reveal that they appear to be "ordinary" and "normal" men who sexually assault women in order to assert power and control over them. 84% of men who have committed rape say that what they did was definitely not rape. |
|
| Myth: |
Men of certain races and backgrounds are more likely to sexually assault women. |
| Fact: |
Men who commit sexual assault come from every economic, ethnic, racial, age and social group. The belief that women are more often sexually assaulted by men of color or working class men is a stereotype rooted in racism and classism. Men who commit sexual assault can be the doctors, teachers, employers, co-workers, lawyers, husbands, or relatives of the women they assault. |
|
|
|
| Myth: |
It's only sexual assault if physical violence or weapons are used. |
| Fact: |
The Criminal Code definition of sexual assault includes a number of acts ranging from unwanted sexual touching, to sexual violence resulting in wounding, maiming or endangering the life of the victim. Most sexual assaults are committed by a man known to the victim. The man is likely to use verbal pressure, tricks, such as administering drugs without the victim's consent, and/or threats during an assault. Only seven percent of violent crimes in 2003 involved firearms. 6 |
|
| Myth: |
Unless she is physically harmed, a sexual assault victim will not suffer any long-term effects. |
| Fact: |
Any sexual assault can have serious effects on women's health and well-being. A Canadian survey found that nine out of ten incidents of violence against women have an emotional effect on the victim. Women who have been sexually assaulted feel anger, fear and can become more cautious and less trusting. 4 Victims of sexual assault are: 5
- 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
- 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
- 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol.
- 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.
- 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.
|
|
| Myth: |
Women cannot be sexually assaulted by their husbands or boyfriends. |
| Fact: |
Under the law, women have the right to say no to any form of sex, even in a marriage or dating relationship. 38% of sexually assaulted women were assaulted by their husbands, common-law partners or boyfriends. Although sexual assault within relationships is illegal, few women report such incidents to police. Women experience long-term negative effects of partner sexual assault and the traumatic consequences of the sexual assault may even be more significant than those of non-partner sexual assault. |
|
References
- U.S. Department of Justice.
- Sexual Assault Care Centre (1999). Violence, Myths and Facts of Sexual Assault. In HEALTH bytes, Women's Health Matters. [electronic journal].
- The Metro Toronto Research Group On Drug Use (No Date). Fax on Drugs - Facts on Rohypnol (Flunitrazepam).
- Statistics Canada (1993).
- U.S. Department of Justice. 1999 National Crime Victimization Studies 1999 – 2005
- Criminal Victimization, 2003.Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. (2004)
|
|
