Myths & Facts about Sexual Assault

Myth: When a woman dresses in skimpy clothing or in an alluring manner, she is asking to be raped.
Fact: Rapists choose victims for their vulnerability, not their sexiness.  Rape is not a crime of sexual desire.  It is a crime of hostility and violence toward the victim. Rape is never the victim's fault.

Myth: Anyone who gets drunk or takes drugs is asking to be raped.
Fact: Inability to give consent does not mean a person is asking to be raped.  Forcing sexual contact on another person without consent is against the law. Rape is never the victim's fault.

Myth: It could never happen to me.
Fact: All individuals are potential rape victims: regardless of age, race, class, religion, occupation, sexual orientation, educational background, or physical description.  Men can be rape victims, as well. Both males and females can be rape victims. Rape is never the victim's fault.

Myth: Women lie about being raped to protect their reputations.
Fact: According to the FBI, the incidence of false reporting is only 2%, the same as for other felonies.  It is far more likely that rape is under-reported and in fact, some studies estimate that only 10% of rapes are reported. Rape is never the victim's fault.