Preventing Sexual Assault

Ten things I can do to prevent sexual assault and violence against women back to main list

2) Challenge Myths with Reality

There are many myths or false beliefs about sexual assault. Such beliefs excuse sexual assault by blaming victims and implying that offenders are not responsible for their actions.

Challenging myths helps make offenders more accountable and contributes to creating a safer, more empathic environment for victim/survivors.

Providing a reality check is the quickest and most effective way to challenge a myth or false belief. However, to do so, we must first be able to tell myth from reality ourselves.

Activity:

Decide whether you think the following statements are Myths or Reality, then click for the answer.

Sexual assault couldn’t happen to me Myth or Reality?
Rape is committed by strangers Myth or Reality?
Rape is committed by psychologically disturbed men Myth or Reality?
Most sexual assaults happen at home Myth or Reality?
Young women are at greatest risk of being raped Myth or Reality?
Men of all sexual persuasions can be victims of sexual assault Myth or Reality?
Men who sexually assault men are gay Myth or Reality?
Most sexual assaults involve a weapon Myth or Reality?
In most sexual assaults, the victim is not physically injured Myth or Reality?
Women lie about rape to get back at a man Myth or Reality?
If a sexual assault charge is dropped, the accused is proved innocent Myth or Reality?
Women who dress and act sexily bring it on themselves Myth or Reality?
Women who are drunk or drug-affected are fair game for sex Myth or Reality?
Men rape because they need sex more than women do Myth or Reality?
A strong man controls his woman Myth or Reality?
It’s natural for men to be violent Myth or Reality?

Sources:

Information in this section has been reproduced with the kind permission of:

  • NSW Rape Crisis Centre
    • The Myths and Realities of Sexual Assault
  • CASA House website
    • Common Myths of Sexual Assault
  • Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault website
    • Myths and Facts: Common beliefs about rape
  • South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault
    • Myths about male rape

Other:

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Crime and Safety 2002
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Recorded Crime – Victims Australia 2003
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Women’s Safety Survey 1995