Violence/Abuse

Myths and Facts

• Victims have done something to cause an assault or rape.
• Victims rarely know their attackers
• Most reported rapes are fabricated.
• Most rapes involve guns or knives.
• Most date rapes occur spontaneously when things get "out of control."
• Victims of rape are usually dressed provocatively or are particularly attractive.
• Most rapes are inter-racial.
• Most rapes occur in deserted buildings, empty parking lots, etc.
• Rape is an act of sexual passion.
• If you are raped, always submit, never fight back physically.
• If the attacker and victim are drunk, the attacker cannot be charged with rape.

Facts

• No one chooses or deserves to be a victim of sexual violence.
• In half of all reported rapes, victims have known their assailant. Acquaintance rape is known to be an under-reported of crime.
• It has been shown that only 2% of reported rapes or sexual assaults are unfounded, the same percentage as other felonies.
• Rapists more typically use threats or physical force to accomplish the rape.
• In one study, most date rapists indicated that they expected forced sexual activity as an outcome.
• Victims are not chosen based on looks or dress but on perceived vulnerability.
• FBI statistics show that almost 3/4 of sexual assaults is between persons of the same race.
• Most rapes occur in the victim's home. The next most common location is in a car.
• Rape is an act of violence, domination, or control.
• In general, studies have shown that those who respond quickly with active resistance are more likely to avoid being raped. Rapists are looking for someone who is vulnerable, an easy target, and who will not fight back.