Myths and Stereotypes

MYTHS AND STEREOTYPES

Multiple Choice

Most sexual assaults are accidental because a person did not understand consent. 

• True

• False

MYTH: Most sexual assaults are accidental because a person did not understand consent. 

• FALSE. Research shows that most college undergraduates have a good understanding of consent. Further, most sexual assaults are planned and involve careful targeting of victims. People who commit sexual assault usually follow a pattern of behaviour that involves the following steps: 

• 1. Select a person to target 

• 2. Test that person’s boundaries/sobriety 

• 3. Isolate that person from others 

• 4. Assault the person 

• 5. Follow-up (sometimes trying to make it look like a consensual hook-up)

Multiple Choice

Sexual assault happens more often in heterosexual relationships than in same-sex relationships.

• True

• False

MYTH: Sexual assault happens more often in heterosexual relationships than in same-sex relationships.

• This is false. Sexual assault happens just as often in same-sex contexts as in heterosexual contexts.  

Multiple Choice

Being accused of rape will always ruin a person's reputation.

• True

• False

MYTH: Being accused of rape will always ruin a person's reputation

• FALSE. The majority of sexual assaults are never reported- only 6% of sexual assaults in Canada are ever reported to police. Furthermore, only 1.2% of sexual assault cases make it to trial and only 0.3% are found guilty. Many people in society continue to blame victims and offer excuses to perpetrators. While a lot of us may think that this kind of accusation would ruin our life if it happened to us, there are just too many stories of repeat perpetrators who are able to continue their actions, even after their violent behaviour has been made public knowledge (example: Harvey Weinstein). 

Multiple Choice

If a person is not visibly upset, they must not have been sexually assaulted.

• True

• False

MYTH: If a person is not visibly upset, they must not have been sexually assaulted

• FALSE. People who experience sexual assault react in many different ways and there is no “right” or “wrong” way to respond, or a set time frame for when someone should start to feel better. Common reactions to sexual violence include: guilt and self-blame, embarrassment and shame, emotional numbness, denial, depression, fear, and anger. No matter how someone responds, always show that you support and believe them. 

Multiple Choice

Many people lie about rape when they regret having sex or want to get revenge.

• True

• False

MYTH: Many People lie about rape when they regret having sex or want to get revenge.

• FALSE. The majority of people tell the truth about rape. Only 2-4% are false reports, which is similar to other crimes. Most people do not want to report sexual violence because of how few people are believed when they do and how terribly they are treated by those who do not believe them, including victim blaming, bullying and harassment, and isolation from their community. In general, people who regret having sex just try to pretend that it never happened. 

Multiple Choice

When women dress provocatively, they are increasing their risk of experiencing sexual assault

• True

• False

MYTH: When women dress provocatively, they are increasing their risk of experiencing sexual assault.

• FALSE. How a person dresses does not affect their chances of sexual assault. Stats Canada even reports that most perpetrators cannot remember what their victim was wearing when they assaulted them. The responsibility to prevent sexual assault should not be put on women’s shoulders alone- as a community, we are responsible for ensuring the safety of those around us. By focusing on the victim, rather than the perpetrator, we allow their harmful behaviour to go unchallenged. 

Multiple Choice

Women cannot commit sexual assault.

• True

• False

MYTH: Women cannot commit sexual assault.

• FALSE. Although women are statistically less likely to be perpetrators of sexual violence, that doesn’t mean that they cannot commit sexual assault. It also doesn’t mean that an assault committed by a woman is any less harmful than one committed by a man. We often rely on stereotypes of women as kinder, less sexual, less aggressive, and less physically strong than men to avoid viewing them as potential perpetrators. However, physical force is not the only tool used by perpetrators. Drugs and alcohol, threats, weapons, coercion, and power-relationships are some other tools that are used to commit sexual violence. 

Multiple Choice

If both people are drunk or high, it cannot be sexual assault.

• True

• False

MYTH: If both people are drunk or high, it cannot be sexual assault.

• FALSE. It is rare that two people are experiencing exactly the same level of intoxication at the same time. Usually, one person is less intoxicated than the other. A less intoxicated person still has a responsibility to create safe environments for others, including ensuring that their partner is not too intoxicated to consent. If you’re ever unsure, wait until you’re both sober. 

Multiple Choice

Men are less affected by sexual violence.

• True

• False

MYTH: Men are less affected by sexual violence

• FALSE. Studies show that the short and long-term effects of sexual violence are damaging for ALL genders. Men may be more impacted by our society’s refusal to accept that they can be victims of sexual violence- by laughing at them, telling them they should be lucky, or ignoring it all together- making it harder for men to seek help and disclose/report their experiences. 

Multiple Choice

Most sexual assaults are committed by someone that is known to the victim.

• True

• False

Most sexual assaults are committed by someone that is known to the victim.

• True. Approximately 80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim already knows. This could be an acquaintance, a close friend, a dating partner, a family member, or a person of authority like a boss or a coach.  

​That's all for now!

​let's return to the presentation to discuss the ways that sexual violence persists through rape culture.