| Myths and Facts |
| MYTH |
| FACT |
| Most women lie about being assaulted because they feel guilty about having sex. |
| Sexual assault is a vastly under-reported crime. Only 6% of assaults are reported. False accusations happen as often as false accusations in other crimes: about 2 to 4%, leaving 96 to 98% reports true. |
| MYTH |
 |
| Sexual assault is most often commited by strangers. |
| FACT |
| 69% of women assaulted, are assaulted by men they know, dates, boyfriends, husbands, friends, family, or neighbours. |
|
| MYTH |
| Women who are sexually assaulted "ask for it" with the way they dress or act. |
| FACT |
| This idea is used by offender to somehow rationalize their behaviour. It blames the victim for the assault not the offender. The truth is, the victim never asks for it. Victims report a wide range of actions and dress at the time of their assault. No matter whatphysical type, age, situation a woman can be sexually assaulted. No woman ever deserves or "asks for it". Whatever she wears, wherever she goes, whomever she talks to "No." means "No." |
|
| MYTH |
| Men who assault women are either mentally ill or sexually starved. |
| Studies on the profiles of rapists show that they are "ordinary" and "normal" men who sexually assault to assert power and control over women. |
|
| FACT |
| MYTH |
| Unless the victim is physically harmed, they will not suffer any long term effects. |
| A recent study shows that 9 out of 10 incidents of sexual assault have an emotional effect on the victim. Over one third of women who have been sexually assaulted contemplate suicide. |
| FACT |
|
| MYTH |
| Women cannot be sexually assaulted by their boyfriends or husbands. |
| FACT |
| Women have the right to say no to any form of sex, even when in a dating relationship. 38% of women are assaulted by their husbands or boyfriends. Sexual assault in relationships has been illegal since 1983, but few women report such incedents. |