Myth vs. Reality
There are common misguided beliefs held by a large portion of the population regarding rape. These misunderstanding drastically impede victims as they cope with their experience and try to recover.
Myth
- A woman who gets raped usually deserves it, especially if she has agreed to go to a man's house or park with him.
- If a woman agrees to allow a man to pay for dinner, drinks, etc., then it means she owes him sex.
- Acquaintance rape is committed by men who are easy to identify as rapists.
- Women who don't fight back haven't been raped.
- Intimate kissing or certain kinds of touching mean that intercourse is inevitable.
- Once a man reaches a certain point of arousal, sex is inevitable and they can't help forcing themselves upon a woman.
- Most women lie about acquaintance rape because they have regrets after consensual sex.
- Women who say "No" really mean "Yes."
- Certain behaviors such as drinking or dressing in a sexually appealing way make rape a woman's responsibility.
Reality
- No one deserves to be raped. Being in a man's house or car does not mean that a woman has agreed to have sex with him.
- Sex is not an implied payback for dinner or other expense no matter how much money has been spent.
- Women are often raped by "normal" acquaintances who resemble "regular guys.
- Rape occurs when one is forced to have sex against their will, whether they have decided to fight back or not.
- Men are capable of exercising restraint in acting upon sexual urges.
- Acquaintance rape really happens - to people you know, by people you know.
- This notion is based on rigid and outdated sexual stereotypes.
- Drinking or dressing in a sexually appealing way are not invitations for sex.
