Facts & Myths Concerning Sexual Assault
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Facts & Myths

There are many pervasive myths about sexual assault and abusive relationships in society. Below are listed just a few facts and myths regarding sexual assault and controlling and abusive relationships. Hopefully they will clarify your understanding about these very real issues and help you to educate others. Education and awareness is important towards prevention. Additional information is also available throughout this website.

Some Facts About Sexual Assault

Defining Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is any unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature that occurs without consent from both individuals or under threat or coercion. Whether by an acquaintance or by a stranger, sexual assault can occur either forcibly and/or against a person's will, or when a person is incapable of giving consent.
By law, sexual assault includes but is not limited to rape, forcible sodomy, forcible oral copulation, sexual assault with an object, sexual battery, forcible fondling (e.g., unwanted touching or kissing for purposes of sexual gratification), or threat of sexual assault.

A person is legally incapable of giving consent if under 18 years of age, intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol, developmentally disabled, or mentally or physically unable to do so.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone of any age, race, gender, and socioeconomic background -- at any time or any place. The YWCA Rape Crisis Center of Santa Clara Valley and the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula report that:

  • Sex offenders can be of any age, race, class, or occupation.
  • Sexual assault occurs as frequently during the day as it does at night.
  • Research shows that a woman’s chances of being sexually assaulted during her lifetime may be as high as 1 in 3.
  • It is estimated that 80-85% of rapists are known to the adult they attack. "Acquaintance rape" by a friend, new acquaintance, or coworker is frequent, particularly among young, single women.
  • Statistics show that 50% of sexual assaults occur in or around a woman’s home, 50% during the day.
  • Every minute in the United States, 1.3 adult women are raped.
  • Up to 60% of sexual assault offenders reported being under the influence of alcohol.
  • 40% of victims of sexual assault had been drinking alcohol.

The California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) reports in a study surveying over 6,000 students at 32 colleges and universities in the U.S. indicates that:

  • 1 in 4 women had been victims of rape or attempted rape.
  • 84% of those raped knew their attacker, and 57% of the rapes happened on dates.
  • Only 27% of the women whose sexual assault met the legal definition of rape thought of themselves as rape victims.
  • 42% of the rape victims told no one about the assault, and only 5% reported it to the police
  • About 75% of the men and at least 55% of the women involved in acquaintance rapes had been drinking or taking drugs just before the attack.
  • According to the National Institute of Justice, rape is the costliest crime in the U.S., exacting $86,500 in tangible and intangible costs per victim.
  • Results of a 1997 study of sexual coercion within gay and lesbian relationships indicated that 52% of the total sample reported having experienced at least one incident of sexual coercion. 55% of the gay men and 50% of the lesbians in this study reported unwanted penetration. 33% of the gay men and 32% of the lesbians in this study reported unwanted fondling.
  • In 1992, the National Victim Center reported that 9 out of 10 rapes go unreported.

Sexual Assault Statistics at Stanford

  • The Public Safety report reflects sexual assaults that occur on campus, or University-related off campus events. Off campus sexual assaults are not included in this data. The official sexual assault reporting statistics at Stanford can be found at http://police.stanford.edu/index2.html
  • It is important to understand, however, that the low numbers reflected in these statistics is the result of sexual assault being an under-reported crime. 
  • Sexual assault is under-reported for reasons having to do with shame, intimidation, fear of reprisal, worry that one won't be believed, and other factors which are unique to this particular crime. 
  • When asked on a general survey about women's needs on the Stanford campus, approximately 1 in 10 Stanford women reported that dealing with a sexual assault was a major unmet need for them. 
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Common Myths Concerning
Sexual Assault and Violence in Relationships

Common Myths Concerning Sexual Assault

Myth: Only women are sexually assaulted or raped, and only by men.
Reality: Both men and women can be sexually assaulted or raped, and assailants can be male or female with any sexual orientation.

Myth: Someone who was drinking or drunk when sexually assaulted is at least partially to blame.
Reality: Sexual assault survivors are never responsible for the attack, no matter what, no matter how much alcohol was consumed. Responsibility lies with the perpetrator; the survivor is never responsible for the assailant's behavior. Alcohol may increase the risk of sexual assault, and may make someone incapable of giving consent or protecting themselves, but it is not the cause of the assault.

Myth: It's not rape if the couple is dating or is married.
Reality: Unwanted sexual activity in any relationship qualifies as sexual assault.

Myth: Most victims are raped by strangers, in unfamiliar places or on dark nights.
Reality: It is estimated that 80-85% of rapists are known to the adult they attack. "Acquaintance rape" by a friend, new acquaintance, or coworker is frequent, particularly among young, single women. Statistics show that 50% of sexual assaults occur in or around a woman's home, 50% during the day.

Myth: Women often falsely accuse men of sexual assault or rape (for example, to get back at them, or because they regret or feel guilty about having sex).
Reality: Nearly all rapes are truthfully reported, and, in fact, rapes are vastly underreported.

Myth: Rape has to do with sex and passion.
Reality: Rape has to do with interpersonal violence.

Myth: Rapists have psychological problems.
Reality: Most assailants are males with no history of mental disorder.

Myth: Perpetrators of sexual assault come largely from certain races or backgrounds.
Reality: Men and women of all races, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, economic and social classes are represented among assailants.

Myth: Only young women are at risk.
Reality: Women of all ages are at risk, and 1 in 4 women will be assaulted in the course of her lifetime.

Myth: If the victim didn't fight or try to run away, or there was no weapon or injuries sustained, rape did not occur.
Reality: Threats of violence are a weapon, and a woman may not resist vigorously for fear of injury or death.

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Common Myths Concerning Violence in Relationships

Myth: Violence in relationships does not affect many people.

Fact: Studies estimate that one in three teens are in an abusive relationship.

Myth: Battering is only a momentary loss of temper. One incident doesn't constitute abuse.

Fact: Battering involves the establishment of fear and control in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse used to manipulate one’s partner. Its manifestation through violence is a physical example of abuse that has already been occurring.

Myth: Domestic violence only occurs in poor, urban areas.

Fact: Women of all cultures, races, income, levels, and ages are abused by husbands, boyfriends, lovers and partners.

Myth: Men can’t be victims of violence in relationships.

Fact: Men can be abused by their girlfriends and partners, but are often unwilling to seek help because admitting abuse runs contrary to the “macho” image men are encouraged to maintain.

Myth: I'm very strong, independent and intelligent and so would never fall victim to an abusive relationship.

Fact: Anyone can find themselves in an abusive and controlling relationship, no matter if you are male or female, intelligent or worldly, or strong and independent.

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Sources:

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