Why are there so many rape myths? There are a lot of myths surrounding rape and rape victims. This is part of the reason why so many survivors choose not to disclose or report what happened to them. So why do so many myths surround sexual violence victims? Expand A myth is defined as “an unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution” (Dictionary.com). There are a lot of myths surrounding rape and rape victims. This is part of the reason why so many survivors choose not to disclose or report what happened to them. So why do so many myths surround sexual violence victims? Myths and stereotypes are attempts to understand or explain what is happening in the world around us. For many of the general public, the idea that they too are at risk of being a victim of sexual violence is too difficult to accept. Instead of accepting this risk, some choose to find ways of blaming the victim for what happened to them. Rape myths therefore allow people to distance themselves from threat. These myths have been fuelled by missreporting and representation in our media. Rape myths are very useful to perpetrators and defence barristers and can be used to discredit victims. This can be incredibly damaging to survivors. They can exasperate feelings of shame, guilt and self-blame. They reduce the chances of survivors opening up about their experiences due to fears that they will not be believed or be judged for what happened to them. Rape is NEVER the fault of the victim and ALWAYS the fault of the perpetrator.
MYTH: Men can't be raped and women can't be perpetrators. This myth is very damaging. Men can and are raped. 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual assault or abuse in their lifetime. Expand This myth is very damaging. Men can and are raped. 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual assault or abuse in their lifetime. An estimated 12,000 men are raped in the UK every year, and more than 70,000 are sexually abused or assaulted (Survivors UK). There is also a myth that suggests that if a man is raped he must be gay. This is also not the case. Sexual abuse has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Another myth is that male perpetrators of male rape must be gay. As rape has nothing to do with sexual desire and everything to do with power and control, this is also not the case. The vast majority of perpetrators of sexual violence are men but women can and do commit sexual offences. The law states that rape is defined as non-consensual penetration with a penis. This means that women can not legally be charged with rape but they can be charged with sexual assault which is just as serious. The myth that women can not be perpetrators prevents these individuals from being held accountable and silences their victims who are even less likely to disclose than victims of male perpetrators.
MYTH: A lot of victims lie about being raped or give false reports. Only 2-3% of rape allegations are false. This widely believed myth is one of the largest barriers to disclosure and reporting that survivors face. Expand Only 2-3% of rape allegations are false. There is a perception in our society that false allegations are very common due to sensationalised media reporting and a recent focus on celebrity sex abuse scandals in the news. This is simply not the case. What many fail to consider is the ordeal that survivors must go through when reporting. Survivors can face abuse, disbelief and sometimes rejection from their loved ones when they make an allegation. When they report to the police, survivors are often asked to hand over their phone and their medical records are accessed. In a court setting, a survivors most intimate details are made public in an attempt to discredit their character and account. Making an allegation of rape is not something that is done lightly or without consequence for the victim. This widely believed myth is one of the largest barriers to disclosure and reporting that survivors face. In the most recent Crime Survey for England and Wales, it was found that less than 1 in 5 victims of rape or assault by penetration reported this to the police. 25% of those did not report because they thought that the police would not believe them. This myth is incredibly damaging for survivors and needs to be challenged at every possible opportunity so that survivors are able to access justice and support.
MYTH: If someone is sexually abused during their childhood, they are likely to become an abuser themselves. This harmful myth is as offensive as it is untrue, and can sometimes be used to try and justify/explain the behaviour of perpetrators. Expand This harmful myth is as offensive as it is untrue, and can sometimes be used to try and justify/explain the behaviour of perpetrators. The majority of survivors never go on to abuse. Myths like this affect survivors in many aspects of their lives, especially parenthood. The vast majority of child abuse survivors will never perpetrate sexual abuse and are utterly appalled by the insinuation that they are capable of such an act.
MYTH: If someone had a physiological reaction (erection or orgasm) during an attack, that must mean that they enjoyed it. Our bodies react to stimuli; someone who is ticklish may laugh when they are tickled but that does not mean they enjoyed it. Physiological reactions to rape Expand Physiological reactions (erection or orgasm) result from physical contact, and sometimes even from extreme stress. When someone is attacked they can enter ‘hyperarousal’ mode, another term for the ‘fight of flight’ reaction. Physiological reactions can be a by-product of the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism our body uses to keep us alive, and does not reflect a victim’s actual emotional response to the attack or indicate consent in any way. Our bodies react to stimuli; someone who is ticklish may laugh when they are tickled but that does not mean they enjoyed it. Physiological reactions to rape or sexual abuse work in the same way as this.
MYTH: If a victim of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they wanted it. It is very common to hear about the 'flight or fight' response to danger, however many survivors experience immobility or a 'freeze' during an assault. Expand It is very common to hear about the 'flight or fight' response to danger, however many survivors experience immobility or a 'freeze' response during an assault. The 'freeze' response is identified in more than 1/3 of adult rape victims and in half of childhood sexual abuse victims. When we are in danger, the part of our brain called the amygdala will respond instinctively to ensure our survival. This part of our brain is not concerned with the later affect of this response (which for many can cause post-traumatic stress disorder) but is only concerned with immediate protection. If an individual reacts by shouting or screaming, they are likely to increase the likelihood of severe injury or death. This is why a lot of victims will subconsciously react with passive defence. Freeze is projected to cause the perpetrator to back off. If this fails a victim may move immediately to ‘flop’ in their response- muscular tension will drain away. The less tension in our muscles the less likely we are to sustain physical injury. At this point, victims may become very dissociative. If no physical escape is possible they internally escape which is a useful survival mechanism. If you reacted this way during an assault, know that it was not your fault. You had no control over how your brain reacted to the danger you were in. You did not want to be raped or sexually abused.
MYTH: Most rapists are not known to their victim. In less than 9% of cases a perpetrator is a stranger to the victim. In 90% of cases the victim is known to their offender. Expand In less than 9% of cases a perpetrator is a stranger to the victim. In 90% of cases the victim is known to their offender. The most serious and repeated offences are more likely to be committed by known persons, with offenders being family members more commonly for girls and young women and authority figures more commonly for boys and young men. Anyone can be a rapist; rapists can be any race, ethnicity, age, and from any economic background or social group. Rape and sexual abuse is about control and power and can be just one of many tools used to dominate a victim. Many people assume that rape can not happen within a relationship because consensual sex has already occurred. This is not the case. Consent must be provided EVERY time sexual activity starts and can be withdrawn at any point. It is not your duty or responsibility to sexually satisfy your partner when you do not want to and you should never be forced into this.