1. Keep the focus on the perpetrator. They’re responsible.
Blame the Victim Myths
A victim’s appearance or behaviors caused the assault.
TRUTH - Appearance or behaviors do not cause sexual assaults; perpetrators do.
If a person gets drunk, s/he is to blame for getting sexually assaulted.
TRUTH - No matter how much a person drinks, s/he does not deserve to be sexually assaulted.
If victims don’t resist, it means they wanted it to happen.
TRUTH - Many victims do not resist rape due to fear and shock.

2. Breaking Down the Myths
…Doesn’t look like a perpetrator!
Good worker! Well liked!
…But the victim also had consensual sex!
Laws against adults having sex with minors
...But they were both drinking!
Laws against adults providing alcohol to minors
…Victim’s rape report disrupted our school/class!
Students will take sides/parents/school staff
…Who’s side should I take? Victim or perpetrator?

3. Breaking Down the Myths (cont.)
…A lot of victims make false reports!
There is only a 2% rate of false reporting
Most underreported crime due to FEAR...
of not being believed
of being blamed
for safety
of reprisal
of parental knowledge of sexual behavior
no legal action will be taken
of getting in trouble for other behaviors during time of assault
of getting witnesses/friends in trouble for other behaviors

4. The Truth…..
59,916 rapes occur each month 1,871 rapes occur each day 78 rapes occur each hour rapes occur every single minute
TRUE

5. is a sexual assault victim.
Statistic….
1 in 4 women
is a sexual assault victim.

6. Statistic….
71% of young women who are victims of rape or attempted rape know their assailant.

7. knew that “what happened” met the legal definition of rape.
Statistic….
Only 1 in 4 victims
knew that “what happened”
met the legal definition of rape.
(Warshaw, 1994; 6,000+ from 32 colleges)

8. 30,440 MALES Statistic…. ages 12 and over
were sexually assaulted in the US.
(Annual Average, ; US Dept of Justice, 2002)

9. Statistic….
1 in 6 boys
will be assaulted
before
the age of 18

10. (2002 US DOJ Nat’l Crime Victimization Study)
1 in 8 rape victims
was male in 2002
(2002 US DOJ Nat’l Crime Victimization Study)

11. Statistic…. Someone the victim thought s/he could trust…
2 in 3 sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance
(2002 US DOJ Nat’l Crime Victimization Study)
Someone the victim thought s/he could trust…

12. Reduce Risk/The Bystander Effect

13. DON’T TURN A BLIND EYE!
The failure of others to act leads to the false conclusion that getting involved must not
be necessary.
Knowing about the bystander effect makes
people more likely to intercede
The Bystander Effect…

14. Step up and act (Pro-Social Bystander)
It only takes one person to step up and help in a situation
Be the one that emulates mutual respect, most importantly remember crossing lines in sexual misconduct causes long-term problems/effects:
victim suffers
family pain/suffering
loss of job
possibly prison if convicted as rapist
registered sex offender for life
will lose retirement in some states