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Myths vs. Facts
- 1. Myth: The primary motive for sexual assault is sexual.
Reality: While sexual attraction may be influential, power, control and anger are the primary motives. Most rapists have access to a sexual partner. Gratification comes from gaining power and control and discharging anger. This gratification is only temporary, so the rapist seeks another victim.
- 2. Myth: Most sexual assaults are by people of one race assaulting people of another race.
Reality: The majority of rapes involve persons of the same race or culture. The majority of rapists are white males.
- 3. Myth: Men cannot be sexually assaulted.
Reality: Men can be raped, and they are often raped by heterosexual males. Male rape occurs in the public sector, not just in institutional settings. Once again, we must look at the motivation for rape, that of power, control and anger. At times, gangs use male rape as a way to control gang members. Male rape is rarely reported, due largely to the lack of support and unrealistic male sex-role expectations in our society.
- 4. Myth: Women often make false reports of rape.
Reality: According to FBI crime statistics, less than 2 percent of the reported rape cases are found to be false. There are no more false reports of rape than there are of any other crime.
- 5. Myth: You can tell a rapist by the way he looks.
Reality: Rapists are not physically identifiable. They may appear friendly, normal, and non-threatening. Many are young, married and have children. Rapist types and traits however can be categorized.
- 6. Myth: Women fantasize about being raped.
Reality: No woman fantasizes about being raped. Fantasies about aggressive sex may be controlled and turned off if they become threatening. In rape, the victim is unable to control the violence and stop it.
- 7. Myth: A man can't rape his wife.
Reality: Many states now have laws against rape in marriage. The idea that a man can't rape his wife suggests married women do not have the same right to safety as do unmarried women. Most battered women have experienced some form of sexual abuse within their marriage. It is also known that estranged or ex-spouses sometimes use rape as a form of retaliation.
- 8. Myth: Only "bad" women get raped.
Reality: No other crime victim is looked upon with the degree of suspicion and doubt as a victim of rape. Although there are numerous reasons why society has cast blame on the victims of rape, a major reason found in studies is that of a feeling of self protection. If one believes that the victim was responsible because she put herself in an unsafe position, such as being out late at night, drinking alcohol, dressing in a certain way, or "leading on" the rapist, then we are able to feel safer because "we wouldn't do those things." But, the basic fact remains that without consent, no means no, no matter what the situation or circumstances.
- 9. Myth: Rape is just unwanted sex and isn't really a violent crime.
Reality: Rape is a lot more than an unwanted sex act, it is a violent crime. Many rapists carry a weapon and threaten the victim with violence or death.
- 10. Myth: Rape only occurs outside and at night.
Reality: Rape can and does occur anytime and anyplace. Many rapes occur during the day and in the victims' homes.
- 11. Myth: Sexual assault usually occurs between strangers.
Reality: By some estimates, over 70% of rape victims know their attackers. The rapist may be a relative, friend, co-worker, date or other acquaintance.
- 12. Myth: Rape only happens to young attractive women.
Reality: Rape can and does strike anyone at anytime. Age, social class, ethnic group and has no bearing on the person a rapist chooses to attack. Research data clearly proves that a way a woman dresses and / or acts does not influence the rapists choice of victims. His decision to rape is based on how easily he perceives his target can be intimidated. Rapists are looking for available and vulnerable targets.
- Statistics were obtained from various sources including the study Rape in America, 1992, National Victim Center, The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the National Crime Survey.
- Comments/Questions:
- Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center
2200 Randallia Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Emergency phone (219) 480-7144
Office phone (219) 480-7133
- Copyright 1996 Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center
Email:
info@dvis.org
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