The truth behind the myths

Myth: Only women are survivors of sexual assault.

Fact: Approximately 3% of American men have experienced completed or attempted rape in their lifetime.

Myth: Only men rape.

Fact: In 1994, 1.2% of offenders in state prisons who were convicted on sexual assault charges were female.

Myth:  Rape is not a big deal; it is only sex. 

Fact:  Rape is a big deal.  It is a crime of dominance and control using sex to express power and anger.  Sex is between two consenting partners.  Rape is an aggressive act using sex as a weapon.  To be raped is to be violated and stripped of control and self-determination. 

Myth: Rape only happens to teenagers or young women.

Fact:  Rapists attack infants, senior citizens, teens and young men or women.  Every man or woman is a potential target. 

Myth: Rape only happens if you ask for it.  Provocative men and women are the only victims of this crime. 

Fact: A survivor’s behavior is irrelevant.  The rapist chooses to rape, and is responsible for this choice.

Myth: Someone cannot be raped if he or she keeps his or her arms crossed and keeps moving.  No single person can rape another without help.

Fact:  One person alone can rape another.  This is a common occurrence.  A rapist may use physical violence, threats, or weapons.  He or she can force someone to have sex with them by threatening or abusing the survivor enough to ensure compliance with his or her demands. 

Myth:  Most rapes are interracial. 

Fact:  About 90% of all rapes are intra-racial.  In other words, most rapists attack people of the same race. 

Myth:  Most rapes are spontaneous.  A rapist sees someone and has to have him or her. 

Fact:   Most rapes are planned.  A rapist may watch a particular person for a while and try to learn his or her daily routine.  Many rapists test potential victims’ reactions to hostile (sexual) remarks to see if they are easily intimidated. 

Myth:  Strangers commit rape.

Fact:  Survivors know their assailants in about 62% of all reported cases. 

Myth:  Rapists are mostly psychotic men.

Fact:  Most rapists are men or women with no obvious signs of mental illness.  In study after study, researchers are unable to find any significant psychological difference between those who rape and those who don't. 

Myth:  People rape because they need sex.

Fact:  People do not rape because they need a sexual partner. People rape in order to humiliate and dominate someone else. 22% percent of incarcerated rapists report that they are married.

Statistics found on this page are from http://www.rainn.org/statistics.html.

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