Myths and facts about sexual violence

Fact – Most rapes occur at home. More often than not the offender is a relative, friend, neighbour or acquaintance known to the survivor.

Fact – Everyone has the same right to consume alcohol.  If a person is unable to give consent to a sexual activity because they are drunk, drugged, asleep or unconscious, it is an act of sexual violence. 

Consent cannot be implied by the way a person dresses; this lays blame on the victim.  The only person responsible for rape is the rapist. 

Fact – Rape in marriage does occur; it is also a crime. When a person is forced to have sex through emotional or financial blackmail it is rape. It is also rape if a person is forced into oral and anal sex by their partner.  Domestic and family violence workers believe that 90-100% of female clients have experienced intimate partner sexual violence.

Fact – Men of any sexual orientation can be raped.  This belief can stigmatise male survivors of sexual assault. It reinforces homophobic fears and prejudices resulting  in men not reporting sexual assaults and getting help. 

Fact – Sex workers can withdraw their consent to a sexual act at any time and yes, they can be raped.  They provide services to clients and if the worker does not agree with a request they can refuse.  They have every right to feel safe and be respected when their consent is withdrawn.  This myth disempowers sex industry workers and gives an excuse for the offenders' abuse. 

Fact – A person's reaction to a sexual assault is highly varied and individual.  Many women experience a form of shock after being raped and it leaves them emotionally numb or flat – and apparently calm.  The public tend to assess a victim of sexual assault who is upset and emotional as being more credible then those who aren’t.  However, evidence shows credibility is not related to an emotional display.  

Fact – Some victims who have been sexually assaulted delay in telling someone about it or reporting it.  Some never disclose what happened to them. Just because a complaint is made later does not mean it is a false complaint.  Common reasons for victims not to report or tell someone about it are because of shame, confusion, guilt, shock, fear of consequences, protecting an offender that they may know, fear they may not be believed  or because they may blame themselves for what happened. 

Fact – Unwanted sexual arousal and physical responses can occur during rape and a sexual offence. A male victim gaining an erection or a person reaching a climax does not in any way mean that the person consented to the sexual act.  

Fact – Research suggests there are very few false rape complaints reported to authorities.  In some cases less than 1% of rape cases are proved to be false complaints.

Fact – Victims of sexual violence are often afraid of being killed or seriously injured. A survival instinct can kick in and they become co-operative to save their own life.   A victim's reaction to the incident may cause them to be in shock or they may freeze and become physically paralysed.