MYTH 1: |
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Rape is an impulsive, uncontrollable act of sexual gratification or lust. |
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FACT: |
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60-70% of all rapes are planned – another 10% are partially planned. CONTROL is the KEY for the rapist. It is not sexual gratification. Sex is used as a weapon to inflict violence, humiliation and conquest of the victim. Motive of most convicted rapists is aggression, dominance, & anger. |
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MYTH 2: |
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“Good girls don’t get sexually assaulted.” |
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FACT: |
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Sex offenders attack people of all races, both sexes, ages, social backgrounds & moral persuasion. People want to believe this myth because it somehow makes them feel safer if they believe it’s something the victim did or some way they lived. The thinking being: as long as you live & act respectively – nothing like this would happen to you. |
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MYTH 3: |
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Women frequently “cry rape” – there is a high rate of false reporting. |
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FACT: |
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Studies & FBI statistics show: false report for rape is about the same as for other serious felonies: 2-4% |
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MYTH 4: |
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Women enjoy being overpowered and raped. They should “relax and enjoy it.” |
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FACT: |
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This myth falls to differentiate between rape and consensual intercourse. Oftentimes perpetuated by media (movies, TV, Soap operas – women are fighting and ending up melting in the man’s arms) Old question that is asked of victims: If you weren’t a virgin what does it matter? It MATTERS - RAPE IS NOT ABOUT SEX – victim feels violated, degraded, humiliated and fears for her life. |
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MYTH 5: |
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Any person could prevent a rape if they really wanted to. No one can be raped against their will. |
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FACT: |
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First concern of the victim: survive the attack any way possible. Don’t know until your there exactly what you will do – SURVIVAL IS THE KEY! You have been raped when are forced to have sex against your will, whether you fight or not. Insisting that the victim’s struggle rather than submit to rape gives strong messages: victim’s lives are less valuable than their sexual integrity. |
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MYTH 6: |
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Rapists are so sick or perverted that they can be readily
identified by their physical appearance, actions or words. Anyone who looks “normal” or respectable couldn’t possibly be a rapist. |
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FACT: |
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Rapists typically do not look different – may be more likely to express rage & aggression. Rapists use many ways to develop trust & this myth helps. |
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MYTH 7: |
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Rape is committed by crazed strangers. |
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FACT: |
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Most women are raped by people they know. |
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MYTH 8: |
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If there’s no gun you haven’t been raped. |
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FACT: |
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It’s rape whether rapist uses: weapon, fists, verbal threats, drug/alcohol, isolation, your own diminished physical or mental state, sheer body size difference. |
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MYTH 9: |
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If a women lets a man buy her dinner or pay for a movie, she owes him sex. |
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FACT: |
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No one owes sex as a payment to anyone else. |
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MYTH 10: |
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Agreeing to kiss or neck or pet with a man means a women has agreed to have intercourse. |
FACT: |
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Everyone has the right to say “NO” to sexual activity, regardless of what has preceded it. No means No. |
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