MYTH: ONLY LOUD, FLIRTATIOUS GIRLS IN TIGHT CLOTHES OR WEARING SHORT SKIRTS CAN BE RAPED

FACT: Rape is not the victim’s fault. Never. People who are attacked can be of any age, gender, religion, come from different cultures or be of different sexual orientation.

MYTH: THE RAPIST IS USUALLY A STRANGER WHO RAPES SOMEONE IN A DARK ALLEY

FACT: Most rapes are committed by people who are acquainted with the victim. These can be friends, partners, family members or people who know each other from school, college or work.

MYTH: ALCOHOL AND DRUGS TURN PEOPLE INTO RAPISTS

FACT: Drugs and alcohol are not the cause of rape or sexual assault. The cause is the assailant who commits the crime, not drugs and/or alcohol.

MYTH: WHEN IT COMES TO SEX, WOMEN SAY “NO” BUT REALLY THINK “YES”

FACT: It’s simple – if two people want to have sex, both should agree to it.

MYTH: IF THERE IS NO PHYSICAL INJURY WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT RAPE

FACT: In some cases, people who have been raped have wounds on the outside or inside of their bodies, but not always. Just because someone doesn’t have any physical injuries doesn’t mean they weren’t raped.

MYTH: IF THE VICTIM DOESN’T CLEARLY SAY “NO,” WE CAN’T TALK ABOUT RAPE

FACT: We don’t have to directly say NO to not allow someone to do certain activities toward us. There are many ways to say that someone does not express permission to have sex. In many people there is a difficulty in saying anything, but through body language, they can clearly show their opposition to certain activities.

MYTH: RAPE IS ONLY IF SOMEONE IS PHYSICALLY FORCED TO HAVE SEX

FACT: This is not true. Rapists may threaten violence or may take advantage of the victim when the victim is unable to consent (when under the influence of alcohol or while sleeping).

MYTH: IF TWO PEOPLE HAVE HAD SEX WITH EACH OTHER BEFORE, IT’S NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM TO HAVE SEX AGAIN

FACT: This is not true. Just because two people have had sex with each other before doesn’t mean they agree to have another intimacy.

MYTH: PEOPLE OFTEN LIE ABOUT RAPE BY DENYING HAVING SEX WITH SOMEONE

FACT: Most people who have been sexually abused tell the truth. Statistics show that there are few cases in which the rationale against potential sexual abuse is false. Many people, on the other hand, do not report rape – sometimes because they are afraid, but also because it is difficult to tell.

MYTH: MEN ARE NOT RAPE VICTIMS

FACT: While more women are victims of rape than men, you might be surprised how many men are also sexually abused. 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence, and no one thinks they are less masculine because of it. For many men, the experience can cause a physical reaction in the body (erection or ejaculation). This does not mean that they find the situation arousing or desirable. It is just the body’s response to the situation.

Source: http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk/