The Office of National Statistics estimates 3.5% of the male population have been sexually assaulted. It’s because it’s the ultimate way to overpower and humiliate someone. Rapists don’t rape because they want or need sex. NOT CONSENTING makes it rape – not the rapist having cut lip or black eye. In fact, physical force is only used in a reported 64% of rapes, and the victim is beaten in only 9% of attacks. “They target vulnerable people and often groom victims over a long period of time.” Myth 6 – If you don’t fight back, it’s not rapeĬan you honestly say exactly how you would act if you were being raped? Often victims are so scared they’re focusing only on getting through the next couple of seconds. “Rapists groom people similar to how a paedophile grooms children,” says Jo. Secondly – rapes are quite often premeditated. Playing the ‘but I couldn’t stop myself’ card is just a way of trying to avoid blame. It may happen 20-40 times before they finally call us.” Myth 5 – When men get horny, they just can’t stop themselvesįirstly – well, put it this way, if their mother walked in, we’re sure any man would calm down pretty quickly.
“Again, lots of victims are scared to come forward because they think no one is going to believe them. “Rape in relationships is a form of domestic violence,” says Jo. In fact, Home Office statistics shows 56% of rapes were committed by either a partner or former partner. Going out with someone doesn’t mean you’re signing some kind of penetration waiver. Myth 4 – You can’t be raped by your boyfriend or husband In the Stern Review into rape, a CPS lawyer said false accusations are “extremely rare,” and an experienced police officer said he’s only seen two such cases in 15 years. But lying about rape actually happens very rarely. Rape victims are often accused of ‘crying rape’ and making up false allegations out of spite. And it’s only the rapist who has committed a crime. Blaming women for their behaviour is only distracting blame from the rapist. No matter what a woman is wearing and no matter what her sexual history is, no one can assume she wants to be raped. We need to re-educate society to understand this.” Myth 2: Women who wear short skirts, have slept around, or ‘led someone on’ are asking for it “This goes against everything we’re told, but it’s the reality. “We need to get away from this myth that rape is a stranger jumping out of the bushes,” says Jo. Over 80% of rapes happen at home, but victims are often too scared to tell anyone for fear they won’t be believed.
Most likely they were friends, partners, colleagues, or ex-partners. In fact, 97% of calls to the Rape Crisis helpline are from victims who knew their attackers. Yes, this does happen, but it’s very rare. Myth 1: Rape happens in dark alleyways and is done by violent strangers
So we spoke to Jo Wood, a Rape Crisis worker, to help uncover the truth. We think this is because of persistent myths about rape – like the idea that a woman was ‘asking for it’ if she was drunk, or wearing a short skirt. Statistics from The British Crime Survey reveal that 89% of rapes go unreported, and 38% of victims don’t tell anyone. T/W This article includes references to rape