Rape is About Power, Control, and Anger

Think about the unthinkable. Don't mask the facts about rape with myths and stereotypes.

The Truth Is...

MYTH: Rape is about sex and passion
FACT: Rape is an act of violence. It is an attempt to control and degrade using sex as a weapon.

MYTH: Most rapes are committed by strangers.
FACT: It is estimated that 80% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows.

MYTH: Most rapes occur when women are out alone at night.
FACT: Nearly 6 out of 10 rapes occur in the victim's home or in some other private residence.

MYTH: Rape is an impulsive, uncontrollable act of sexual gratification.
FACT: Most rapes are planned. Studies have shown that between 60 percent to 75 percent of rapes are planned in advance.

MYTH: Only young, beautiful women get raped.
FACT: Rapists attack women of all races, all ages, without regard to physical appearance.

MYTH: Women enjoy being raped. Women secretly want to be raped.
FACT: Rape is a violent, often brutal, terrifying crime. No one wants to be raped.

MYTH: Women who are raped were asking for it.
FACT: No one asks to be raped. A victim should never be blamed for someone else's violent behavior.

MYTH: Women frequently cry "rape." There is a high rate of false reporting.
FACTS: Studies show that less than 2% of rapes are falsely reported.

MYTH: Women who say "No" really mean "Yes".
FACT: When a woman says no, the answer is No.

MYTH: I don’t know anyone who’s ever been raped.
FACTS: Rape victims are doctors, teachers, nurses, students, social workers, engineers. It can be anyone.
Chances are you do know someone that has been raped. However, the person usually keeps such information private.

MYTH: Women owe men sex under some circumstances.
If he bought dinner she "owes" him sex.
FACTS: No one "owes" sex for anything, as human beings we should have the freedom to make sexual choices regardless of the circumstances