RAPE MYTHS GLOUCESTERSHIRE RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

ABOUT GLOUCESTERSHIRE RAPE CRISIS CENTRE Aims 1. To provide free, confidential and non-judgemental support and information services; For women and children who have experienced any form of rape or any form of sexual abuse in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas. To any individual or agency supporting a survivor of sexual violence.

AIMS CONTINUED…… 2. To raise public awareness of the nature and extent of sexual violence and the issues surrounding rape and sexual abuse.

STRANGER RAPE Women are most likely to be raped outside, in dark alleyways, late at night. Avoiding being out of her home alone at night is the best way for a woman to protect herself.

Only 9% of rapes are committed by ‘strangers’. Women are more likely to be raped in their homes and in their work places, where they are less likely to be believed and even less likely to report. This myth can control women’s movements and restricts freedom. This myth may be more widely held due to the fact that a woman is more likely to report a stranger rape, so this is more likely to go to court and therefor be reported in the media.

SOMETIMES WOMEN ARE PARTLY TO BLAME. If a woman was drunk, took drugs, or was wearing revealing clothing then they are at least partly to blame for being sexually assaulted.

If a woman is unconscious or their judgement is impaired by alcohol or drugs they are unable to give consent. Having non-consensual sex with a person who is intoxicated is sexual assault / rape. Perpetrators use a variety of excuses to attempt to discredit the women they rape and to justify their crime. No woman asks or deserves to be raped or sexually assaulted.

HE COULDN’T HELP HIMSELF Once a man is sexually aroused he cannot help himself. He has to have sex.

Studies show that most rapes are premeditated. All rapes committed by more than one assailant are always planned. Men can quite easily control their urges to have sex – they do not need to rape a woman to satisfy them. Rape is an act of violence not sexual gratification. Men who rape or sexually assault do so to dominate, violate, humiliate and control.

WHEN A WOMAN SAYS NO SHE OFTEN MEANS YES Everyone knows when a woman says no, she often means yes. Women secretly want to be raped.

Rape is a terrifying, violent and humiliating experience that no woman wants or asks for. If the woman has previously consented to sexual contact it does not mean that she consents to future sexual contact. A woman has to have the freedom and capacity to consent. Sex without consent is rape.

IF IT WAS RAPE THEN SHE WOULD HAVE BRUISES. If the woman did not have physical injuries from fighting back then it could not have been rape.

Perpetrators who rape or sexually assault women will often use weapons or threats of violence to intimidate women. Women make second by second decisions, all of which are directed at minimising the harm done to them. Women will often ‘freeze’ in fear when being sexually assaulted.

WOMEN OFTEN LIE ABOUT BEING RAPED It is quite common for women to make up stories about being raped when they regret having sex with someone.

Deciding whether to report a rape or sexual assault to the Police can be a very difficult decision. At present, it’s estimated that only 15% of women who are raped in England and Wales every year report to the police. Women tell us they do not go to the Police often through fear of not being believed. Unfortunately, a disproportionate media focus on the very small number of cases each year that involve a so-called false allegation perpetuates the public perception that malicious false reporting is common. In March 2013 the Crown Prosecution Service published a survey confirming that false rape reports are ‘very rare’ and suggesting they could make up less than 1% of all reports.

RAPE Intentional penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth with a penis Non-consensual Perpetrator does not reasonably believe that consent was given

CONSENT A person consents if he/she agrees by choice and has the freedom/ capacity to make that choice Doesn’t need proof of physical resistance to prove lack of consent Jury would decide in a Crown Court if the victim consented or not