Sexual Assault Myths & Facts

Myth: Sexual assault truly does not happen often. Fact: 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused or assaulted before the age 18.1 1.3 women age 18 and over in the U.S. are forcibly raped each minute; 78 per hour; 1,871 per day, or 683,000 per year.2 Russell, Diana E.H. 1988. The Incidence and Prevalence of Intrafamilial and Extrafamilial Sexual Abuse of Female Children. In Handbook on Sexual Abuse of Children, ed., Lenore E.A. Walker. Springs Publishing Co. Kilpatrick D.G., Edmunds, C.N. & Seymour, A. Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. Arlington, VA: National Victim Center, 1992.

Myth: Most sexual assault victims have severe physical injuries. Fact: In most cases, the victim is initially subdued by the perpetrator’s verbal threats or coercion, or by a fear of being killed.

Myth: Most victims fight back or physically resist in some way. Fact: Many victims are in a state of shock, absolute fear or confusion when being sexually assaulted. Fighting back may not be an option a victim is able to utilize.

Myth: People who have been sexually assaulted will be hysterical and crying. Fact: Victims will react in various ways. Reactions to sexual assault can include calmness, anger, shock, confusion, laughter, fear, withdrawal from society, hysteria.

Myth: Claims of being sexually assaulted are often to get revenge on the alleged rapist. Fact: Only 4-6% of sexual assault cases are based on false accusations. This percentage of unsubstantiated reports is similar to other reported crimes.

Myth: Most perpetrators target women who are dressed provocatively. Fact: Most convicted rapists admit they don’t remember what the victim was wearing. Furthermore, in interviews with convicted rapists, many say they mostly look at the shoes of the victim to determine their ability to run away or fight back.

Myth: In most sexual assaults, the perpetrator is a man of color and the victim is a white woman. Fact: Most reported sexual assaults are intra-racial, they involve people of the same race.

Myth: Only young, pretty women get sexually assaulted. Fact: Survivors vary in age from infants to the elderly. Appearance is not the priority for a rapist, vulnerability is. Perpetrators often target children, people with disabilities, elderly, substance abusers, the homeless or poor, family members or partners.

Myth: If a person stays away from strangers or registered sex offenders, they will be safe from being sexually assaulted. Fact: 75 % of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. 90% of sexual assaults of children under 12 are committed by a known offender. Greenfeld, Lawrence A., 1997. Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice