Myth: Supposed "survivors" are just trying to get out of alcohol hits.
Fact: The prevalence of false reporting is between 2% and 10%. A survivor of sexual assault would rather march tours for underage drinking than go through the emotional (shame, fear, distrust) issues, legal concerns, and ostracizing associated with reporting a sexual assault at the Academy. (Source: National Sexual Violence Resource Center)
Fact: The prevalence of false reporting is between 2% and 10%. A survivor of sexual assault would rather march tours for underage drinking than go through the emotional (shame, fear, distrust) issues, legal concerns, and ostracizing associated with reporting a sexual assault at the Academy. (Source: National Sexual Violence Resource Center)
Myth: Rape does not happen that often, so we don't need to make a "big deal" about it.
Fact: There is an average of 293,066 survivors ages 12 or older of rape and sexual assault each year in the U.S. This means 1 sexual assault occurs every 107 seconds (on average). (Source: Dove Center)
Fact: There is an average of 293,066 survivors ages 12 or older of rape and sexual assault each year in the U.S. This means 1 sexual assault occurs every 107 seconds (on average). (Source: Dove Center)
Myth: Sexual violence seems like a part of who we are as humans, as much as war or physical violence. We can't change that.
Fact: We can change that. It starts with identifying the issue. Sexual harassment and sexual violence (sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation) are not acceptable behaviors in the Air Force or our communities and are violations of the law. It is all of our responsibilities to fundamentally shift the way we think about sexual assault by holding each other and ourselves accountable. Research using the social ecological model has analyzed the factors that lead to violence, and identifies areas where the process can be disrupted. (Source: WHO and CDC)
Fact: We can change that. It starts with identifying the issue. Sexual harassment and sexual violence (sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation) are not acceptable behaviors in the Air Force or our communities and are violations of the law. It is all of our responsibilities to fundamentally shift the way we think about sexual assault by holding each other and ourselves accountable. Research using the social ecological model has analyzed the factors that lead to violence, and identifies areas where the process can be disrupted. (Source: WHO and CDC)
Myth: If only survivors wore conservative clothing, they wouldn't have been sexually assaulted.
Fact: Rape and sexual assault are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person’s determination to exercise power over another. Neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behavior are invitations for unwanted sexual activity. Forcing someone to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault, regardless of the way that person dresses or acts. (Source: Georgetown Law)
Fact: Rape and sexual assault are crimes of violence and control that stem from a person’s determination to exercise power over another. Neither provocative dress nor promiscuous behavior are invitations for unwanted sexual activity. Forcing someone to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault, regardless of the way that person dresses or acts. (Source: Georgetown Law)
Myth: If you don't fight back, it means you wanted it.
Fact: Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the accused’s use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. Consent is defined as words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. There is no consent where the person is sleeping or incapacitated, such as due to age, alcohol or drugs, or mental incapacity. Consent is based on choice and equal power. It is not coerced, drawn out by explicit or implicit manipulation, implied or assumed. (Source: SARC handout, USAFA)
Myth: Men can't be sexually assaulted.
Fact: Men are sexually assaulted. Any man can be sexually assaulted regardless of size, strength, appearance or sexual orientation. And although the majority of perpetrators are male, men can also be sexually assaulted by women. (Source: University of Tennessee Knoxville)
Myth: Only gay men sexually assault other men.
Fact: Most men who sexually assault other men identify themselves as heterosexual. This fact helps to highlight another reality — that sexual assault is about violence, anger, and control over another person, not lust or sexual attraction. (Source: University of Tennessee Knoxville)
Myth: Arousal equals consent.
Fact: Erection and ejaculation are physiological responses that may result from mere physical contact or even extreme stress. These responses do not imply that you wanted or enjoyed the assault and do not indicate anything about your sexual orientation. Some rapists are aware how erection and ejaculation can confuse a survivor of sexual assault — this motivates them to manipulate their survivors to the point of erection or ejaculation to increase their feelings of control and to discourage reporting of the crime. (Source: University of Tennessee Knoxville)
Myth: They had sex with me before, so I know they consent now.
Fact: A current or previous relationship of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue does not constitute consent. Furthermore, either person may decide at any time if they no longer consent. (Source: SARC handout, USAFA)
Myth: They aren't saying "no," so it's consentual.
Fact: Lack of verbal resistance or submission resulting from the accused’s use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. Consent is defined as words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. There is no consent where the person is sleeping or incapacitated, such as due to age, alcohol or drugs, or mental incapacity. Consent is based on choice and equal power. It is not coerced, drawn out by explicit or implicit manipulation, implied or assumed. A person's silence does not mean they consent to sexual intercourse. They may not have heard you or misunderstood what you said. Always best to get a "yes." (Source: SARC handout, USAFA)
Myth: We agreed beforehand, so it's consentual.
Fact: It's OK to change your mind and say "no" at any point. Respect that what someone wants can change. No still means no. Either person may decide at any time that they no longer consent. Consenting to one behavior does not indicate consent to other behaviors. (Source: SARC handout)
Myth: They agreed to some sexual contact, so they're up for everything.
Fact: Just because someone has agreed to one type of sexual contact (e.g. kissing) doesn't mean they have consented to other kinds of sexual contact, or to intercourse. Ask the questions - "is this OK with you?" "is this something you want to do?" "are you OK with this?" Say "we can stop at any point." (Source: SARC handout)
Fact: Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the accused’s use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. Consent is defined as words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. There is no consent where the person is sleeping or incapacitated, such as due to age, alcohol or drugs, or mental incapacity. Consent is based on choice and equal power. It is not coerced, drawn out by explicit or implicit manipulation, implied or assumed. (Source: SARC handout, USAFA)
Myth: Men can't be sexually assaulted.
Fact: Men are sexually assaulted. Any man can be sexually assaulted regardless of size, strength, appearance or sexual orientation. And although the majority of perpetrators are male, men can also be sexually assaulted by women. (Source: University of Tennessee Knoxville)
Myth: Only gay men sexually assault other men.
Fact: Most men who sexually assault other men identify themselves as heterosexual. This fact helps to highlight another reality — that sexual assault is about violence, anger, and control over another person, not lust or sexual attraction. (Source: University of Tennessee Knoxville)
Myth: Arousal equals consent.
Fact: Erection and ejaculation are physiological responses that may result from mere physical contact or even extreme stress. These responses do not imply that you wanted or enjoyed the assault and do not indicate anything about your sexual orientation. Some rapists are aware how erection and ejaculation can confuse a survivor of sexual assault — this motivates them to manipulate their survivors to the point of erection or ejaculation to increase their feelings of control and to discourage reporting of the crime. (Source: University of Tennessee Knoxville)
Myth: They had sex with me before, so I know they consent now.
Fact: A current or previous relationship of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue does not constitute consent. Furthermore, either person may decide at any time if they no longer consent. (Source: SARC handout, USAFA)
Myth: They aren't saying "no," so it's consentual.
Fact: Lack of verbal resistance or submission resulting from the accused’s use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. Consent is defined as words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. There is no consent where the person is sleeping or incapacitated, such as due to age, alcohol or drugs, or mental incapacity. Consent is based on choice and equal power. It is not coerced, drawn out by explicit or implicit manipulation, implied or assumed. A person's silence does not mean they consent to sexual intercourse. They may not have heard you or misunderstood what you said. Always best to get a "yes." (Source: SARC handout, USAFA)
Myth: We agreed beforehand, so it's consentual.
Fact: It's OK to change your mind and say "no" at any point. Respect that what someone wants can change. No still means no. Either person may decide at any time that they no longer consent. Consenting to one behavior does not indicate consent to other behaviors. (Source: SARC handout)
Myth: They agreed to some sexual contact, so they're up for everything.
Fact: Just because someone has agreed to one type of sexual contact (e.g. kissing) doesn't mean they have consented to other kinds of sexual contact, or to intercourse. Ask the questions - "is this OK with you?" "is this something you want to do?" "are you OK with this?" Say "we can stop at any point." (Source: SARC handout)
For more mythbusting facts you can check out the Sexual Violence Myths & Facts page from the Chicago-based organization Resilience