Sexual Assault Awareness - Myths or Reality

1. The greatest danger of being raped is from a stranger.
   False - You are more likely to be assaulted by someone you know - a friend, date, neighbor, or relative - than by a stranger in a dark alley. 84% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows.

2. Most acquaintance rapes involve alcohol.
   True - It is estimated that 90% of all acquaintance rapes involve alcohol.

3. A person can't be raped by someone that he or she knows, is dating, or someone she or he has had sex with before.
   False - It does not matter what the relationship is between the victim and the rapist. Sex against a person's will in any situation is rape. Previous consensual sex has no bearing on whether a person is guilty of sexual assault, to include rape.

4. If a woman doesn't say "no" she means "yes".
   False - Consent requires understanding, respect and agreement between equal partners. Engaging in sexual intercourse with a person who is mentally or physically incapable of giving consent (drunk for example) is rape.

5. Rape is a crime of passion.
   False - Rape is a crime of violence. Men rape with the intention of hurting, humiliating and degrading their victims, they do not rape out of uncontrollable lust or sexual attraction.

6. Drugs and Alcohol are the number one factor that leads to non-stranger (date/acquaintance) rape.
   True - Many victims say that their ability to react was impaired because they were drinking or taking drugs, or that their date had been drinking and became sexually aggressive.

7. Only women can be the victim of rape.
   False - Although it is less frequent, men can also be the victim of rape. It is still a crime and the victim still need to get medical attention and counseling as soon as possible.

8. Most rapes occur as a "spur of the moment" act.
   False - Rape often occurs in one's home (apartment, house or dormitory). Very often the rapist is known by the victim in some way and the rape is carefully planned.

9. The problem of sexual assault really isn't that big of a problem in our country or on our campuses.
   False - Studies estimated that 1 in 6 women have experienced rape or attempted rape.

10. Most rapists only rape one time.
    False - Most rapists will rape again, and again, and again - until caught and held accountable for their crime.