Disproving the myths of sexual assault

[TeenHelp]

Disproving the myths of sexual assault
By Jenny (coolkid98) and Cassie (Cassado)

Did you know that an estimated 293,000 Americans are sexually assaulted each year? [source] More than half of those victims do not report or receive any help for the assault. Sexual crimes are common but they are unfortunately not talked about often enough. Approximately 1.8 million teenagers in the United States have been sexually assaulted and 30% of those victims are relatives of their perpetrator [source]. The chances of you or someone you know being a victim of sexual assault is high; it's important to spread awareness whenever possible to educate yourself and those around you.

Myth: Sexual assault is really just a miscommunication between parties involved.
Fact: Sexual assault is never a mistake. Sexual assault is the unwanted involvement in any sexual behavior without consent. Sexual assault is a crime where any unwanted sexual contact occurs without consent, including using force, or the threat of it, intimidation or coercion of the person involved.

Myth: The vast majority of victims do not know their perpetrator(s).
Fact: Abusers usually take advantage of the trust in relationships in those they know well. 60% of victims know their abuser but are not directly related to them, for example, they could be a friend, co-worker or classmate. 30% of victims are relatives of their perpetrator [source].

Myth: Only females are sexually assaulted.
Fact: Sexual assault isn't limited to a certain sex or gender; anyone of any age, sex, or race can be assaulted. 1 in 6 men have been sexually assaulted at some point in time [source]. Men are less likely to report sexual assault.

Myth: Only men are perpetrators.
Fact: Women are just as capable as men are, and this means that both men and women are capable of sexually assaulting someone.

Myth: Women are at fault for dressing provocatively.
Fact: Abusers normally choose their victims based on trust, vulnerability and accessibility. The physical appearance is not usually a factor within their choosing. It is never the victim's fault. It is important to note that any woman of any age, gender, or type of clothing worn, can be victims of sexual assault.

Myth: Women tend to falsely accuse men of sexual assault.
Fact: In fact, sexual assault is actually incredibly under reported. 68% of victims do not report the assault and do not receive any sort of help for the aftermath [source]. It is often challenging for victims to report an assault, therefore making false accusations rare.

Myth: It is not possible to repress memories.
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to repress memories of assault. This often happens when the victim freezes or dissociates during the assault. This response causes the brain to store the memories incorrectly, and that makes the victim experience amnesia. Incorrectly stored memories usually cause a lot of mental health issues and they are normally brought back later in life in response to a trigger.

Myth: It is not a true assault if the victim doesn't fight back.
Fact: Someone is sexually assaulted when they did not or could not give consent regardless of whether or not they fought back against their abuser. It is not always possible or safe to resist sexual activity. Many victims do not resist due to threats or the strength of their abuser. Some victimsare not able to "fight or flight." Some dissociate or freeze in fear.

Myth: Sexual arousal during the assault means the victim enjoyed it.
Fact: Sexual arousal during assault is very common, and it often gives victims conflicting feelings. It is completely normal for someone to become aroused when they are touched a certain way, regardless of whether or not they consented. Arousal just means that the body is preparing for sexual activity. It does not mean the person wants it.

Myth: All victims of assault turn into perpetrators.
Fact: Most, if not all, perpetrators were abused. However, many victims of sexual abuse do not repeat the abuse they endured. The percentage of people who repeat the abuse is very low.

Any person of any age, gender, ethnic group or social class can be sexually assaulted or abused by any person. Although the majority of sexual assaults are committed by a person that the victim knows, this isn't always the case. A person who has experienced sexual abuse or assault needs a supportive, non-judgemental environment in which to reach out and talk about what happened. The list of hotlines can be useful if someone wishes to talk to someone about their experiences, however, talking to family members and friends can also help.