Rape: Myths and Facts

Rape occurs within different social institutions including the family and education; it occurs during times of peace but is also used as a weapon of war. Rape can be found in the home or on the street. It can be committed by a stranger, but is more likely to be carried out by someone known to the victim. A woman or man can be raped by one man, or many. She or he may be conscious or drugged. Women rarely talk of rape-in some societies, the shame is such that women can be driven from their communities. For men, taking about rape can be even more problematic.

Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture. It takes a devastating toll on women’s lives, on their families, and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such violence — yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly condoned. — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, 8 March 2007

It is estimated that worldwide, one in five women will become a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime (United Nations Development Fund for Women)

A fear confronting victims of rape is that they will either not be believed or will be blamed. Why? Because rape is a crime surrounded by myths - assumptions that conflict with the evidence. If you are a victim or you are supporting a victim, be assured of the difference between myth and fact.

Myths Surrounding Female Rape

Rape is committed by strangers: This is a myth. Women are most likely to be raped by men they know. For example, 32% of rapes were committed by previous partners, 22% by acquaintances, and 45% by current partners. Only 8% of rapes were by strangers. (Home Office). 97% of callers to a Rape Crisis Line knew their assailant prior to the attack

Women cry rape too easily: Less than 6% of rapes get reported to the police. Rather than crying too easily’, women fail to report due to fear, misplaced guilt, shame and fear of simply not being believed. The level of false accusations is the same for any other crime-2%.

Rape is a product of an uncontrollable sex drive: Men can, and do, control their sexual urges. Rape is an act of violence, not a sexual act.

If a woman didn't struggle then it wasn't rape: Most women are afraid to struggle. Some will be drugged. Official advice is to not incite the attacker to become more physically aggressive. This will sometimes necessitate keeping quiet and ‘calm’ and waiting for the attack to end.

Rapists are not normal men and are probably mentally ill: Research suggests that rapists are rarely mentally ill. Rather, they are normal men who happen to rape. Rapists come from different social classes and ethnic groups

Myths Surrounding Male Rape

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