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"Sexual violence can happen to anyone."
Yes, it can. Sexual violence can happen to anyone – regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or religion. Victims of sexual assault include infants, adults in later life, people of color, LGBT individuals, individuals with disabilities, women and men. In West Virginia, it is estimated that 1 in 6 adult women and 1 in 21 adult men will be a victim of an attempted or completed sexual assault in her/his lifetime (WV Health Statistics Center, BRFSS, 2008).
- Teens 16 to 19 are 4 times more likely to be victims of rape than the general population (National Crime Victimization Survey, 2000).
- Ages 12-24 are the highest risk years.
- 15% of victims are under the age of 12 (RAINN).
"Sexual violence is never the victim's fault."
Sexual violence is NEVER the victim's fault. It doesn't matter if someone was dressed seductively, drinking or using drugs, out at night alone, on a date with the perpetrator, etc. – no one asks to be raped. The responsibility and blame lie with the perpetrator, never with the victim.
The absence of injuries often suggests to others that the victim failed to resist and, therefore, must have consented. Often, rapists only need the threat of violence to control their victims. They also sometimes use drugs to incapacitate their victims.
Some victims submit to the assault for fear of greater harm. Submitting does not mean the victim gave consent. Each rape victim does whatever she/he needs to do at the time in order to survive.
"If a child is being sexually abused, they likely will not tell anyone right away."
Because they are confused by the abuse, feel responsible, or are being threatened by the abuser, children don't automatically tell a parent.
Be sure to talk frequently and openly about sexual abuse with your child. The more they know and the more comfortable they feel talking to you, the more willing they may be to report sexual abuse.
"Males cannot be expected to prevent their own rape."
Many people mistakenly believe that men should be able to prevent the assault by putting up a fight. A common belief is that if a man failed to fight off an attack, he is weak. No rape victim – male or female, gay or straight – should be judged for failure to stop an assault.
Some people also believe that if the victim is homosexual or had an erection during the assault, he enjoyed it. A sexual response is physiological and not within the victim's control – just because his body reacted sexually does not mean he enjoyed the abuse.
"Rape can happen in a dating relationship."
Rape is rape, no matter what the relationship is between the victim and perpetrator. Rape is not just committed by strangers. In 2009, 46.6% of assaults were committed by an acquaintance, 7.4% of those were by an intimate partner (WV-IBRS).
Everyone has the right to change their mind – including about sex. One form of sexual contact does not necessarily open the door to other sexual activity. Even if two people have had sex before, one does not have the right to force sex on the other.
There are many ways a person can be forced into sexual activity. Sometimes perpetrators use physical force or a weapon, but more often they use coercion, manipulation, or psychological pressure.
"Most rapes are not committed by strangers."
It is a common misconception that most sexual assaults are committed by strangers. You are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone you know – a friend, date, classmate, neighbor, or relative – than by a stranger. Familiar people and places are often more dangerous.
More than 50% of all rape/sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred within 1 mile of their home or at their home (RAINN).
- 4 in 10 take place at the victim's home.
- 2 in 10 take place at the home of a friend, neighbor, or relative.
- 1 in 12 take place in a parking garage.
In West Virginia (WV-IBRS, 2009):
- 70% of reported sex offenses occurred at a residence or in a home.
- Nearly 82% of all sexual assaults were committed by someone known to the victim. 46.6% of assaults were committed by an acquaintance, 7.4% by an intimate partner, and 27.6% by 'other' family (e.g., in-law, sibling).
"A small percentage of rapes are false reports."
According to studies, false accusations of rape only account for 2%-8% of all reported sexual assaults – no higher than false reports for any other crimes.
"Most rapes are committed as an act of power and control and degradation."
Forcing someone to engage in a sexual act against her/his will is an act of violence and aggression. The perpetrator is using sex as a weapon to gain power and control over the other person. Most sexual assaults are planned in advaMost sexual assaults are planned in advance, making the excuse implausible that what a victim was wearing seduced the offender, therefore causing the rape.
Drugs and Alcohol
Although drugs and alcohol are often involved in sexual assaults, they are not the cause. Offenders become less inhibited with drug and alcohol use, but since most assaults are planned in advance drugs do not cause the assault. Many victims have found that their ability to react was impaired because they were drinking or taking drugs, or that they were drugged to a level of incapacitation. In West Virginia, someone who is incapacitated cannot consent to sexual intercourse.
Research indicates at least half of all acquaintance sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, the victim or most commonly, both (Norris, 2008; NIJ Special Report).
Believing "No" Means "Yes"
People who regard sex as "scoring" often believe "no" can be changed to "yes" with a little more pressure or force. Acquaintance rape often masquerades as seduction, with the perpetrators rarely feeling they have done anything wrong. They believe that pressure is a legitimate way to get what they want.