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Sexual Violence FactsheetMyths About Rape and Sexual AssaultThere are many commonly accepted myths about rape and sexual assault. These myths minimise the seriousness of the crime and the responsibility of the attacker. These myths also affect the way women feel about themselves when they have been assaulted and the way women are treated by other people. Knowing the facts about rape can give us strength, counteract our fear, make us less likely to blame ourself and feel guilty, and more likely to seek information and support. Here are the facts about some of the most common myths: Myths: Women ask for it Fact: No one ever wants or invites sexual assault. Sexual assault is not a sexual experience. It is never pleasurable. It violates a woman's sense of personal safety and control over her life. It is often a violent, brutal and terrifying assault which may have long-lasting effects on her physical, psychological and emotional health whether or not it involves physical violence. It doesn't matter what women look like, how they dress, where they go or live, how old they are or whether they are married or not. Any woman may be sexually assaulted. Myths: Most rapists are strangers. Fact: Most women know their attacker in some way. Often he is well known to them. He may be a friend, neighbour, boss, husband, ex-husband or boyfriend. He may be a relative, father, uncle or brother. He may be a tradesman or professional man, for example a doctor, teacher, psychiatrist, police officer or public servant. Myths: Rapists aren't like ordinary men. Fact: Most rapists are ordinary men even though stories about violent rape by psychotic men are given a lot of space in the press and people often believe that rapists are sick or crazy. Myths: Most rapists come from a particular part of society. Fact: Rapists come from all cultures, classes, races, age groups, income levels and occupational categories. Myths: Men rape because they can't control their sexual desires. Fact: Men can control their sexual desires, however strong, if they want to. No "desire" gives anyone the right to violate another person. In any case, rape is motivated by the desire to control, dominate, hurt and humiliate, not by sexual desire. Far from being caused by a lack of control, many rapes are premeditated and well planned. Myths: Some men can't rape. Fact: A man's sexual potency or sexual preference does not affect his ability to rape. Rape can be committed by using fingers or objects such as sticks or bottles. Young boys and old men do rape women and girls. Myths: Marital rape does not exist. Fact: Rape in marriage is far from uncommon. Through physical, psychological or emotional coercion women are forced by their husbands to engage in unwanted sexual acts, including oral and anal sex. A husband or de facto can be charged with rape of his spouse. The law recognises that a woman is not the property of her husband or de facto, to be sexually used and abused as he likes. Myths: Women who are raped are scarred for life. Fact: Women can and do survive rape physically and emotionally and in the process, can gain strength and self-respect. This myth concerns society's tendency to blame the victim and becomes reflected in how women then feel about themselves. Women who have been raped may be seen as "soiled" or "damaged property". Even though such attitudes are changing, women may still feel ashamed or guilty, and people may blame them for what happened. This myth is hard to break because it is so deeply ingrained in people's minds. However, it can be broken. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT IT IS THE RAPIST WHO IS TO BLAME Contacts:
The information in this factsheet was sourced from the original publication: 'Information for women about rape: A practical guide to the issues and assistance available for women and their friends' © 1994 Healthsharing Women's Health Resource Service Parts of the book were selected and then updated for this factsheet 2002. Go to Violence against women introductory page.
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