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Teen Sexual Assault Myths

Teen Sexual Assault Myths: Page 1 | Page 2 >

Myth: Most rapes occur at night by strangers lurking in dark places.
Fact: As many as 80 percent of all sexual assaults involve acquaintances. Many rapes occur during daylight hours in places familiar to victims.

Myth: A lot of women "cry rape" to get back at someone they are angry with.
Fact: Of all reported sexual assault cases, false reports only make up about 2 percent.

Myth: Only women get raped.
Fact: One in 7 men will have been sexually assaulted by the time they are adults. Men fall victim for the same reasons as women: they are overwhelmed by threats or acts of physical and emotional violence. Also, most sexual assaults that involve an adult male victim are gang assaults.

Myth: When a person commits a rape, he/she is really just interested in sex.
Fact: Rape is about power and control, not about sex.

Myth: If someone was raped, they must have been asking for it.
Fact: Nobody ever asks or deserves to be raped.

Myth: A lot of times a rape could be prevented if the person had only fought harder.
Fact: The only person who can prevent a rape is the person who commits it. Sometimes, fighting can increase the chances of getting seriously hurt.

Myth: Sexual assault is a crime of passion and lust.
Fact: Sexual assault is a crime of violence and power. Assailants seek to dominate, humiliate and punish their victims.

Myth: You cannot be assaulted against your will.
Fact: Assailants overpower their victims with the threat of violence or with actual violence. Especially in cases of acquaintance rape or incest, an assailant often uses the victim's trust in him to isolate her/him.

Teen Sexual Assault Myths: Page 1 | Page 2 >

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