Sexual Assault Myths

Common Myths and Facts

Myth: "If I/they didn't fight back, it wasn't sexual assault."
Fact: Many people experience automatic survival responses such as freezing or becoming unable to move or speak. Lack of resistance does not equal consent.

Myth: "Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers."
Fact: Most survivors know the person who assaulted them. The offender may be a friend, dating partner, classmate, coworker, or family member.

Myth: "Alcohol/drugs cause sexual assault."
Fact: Alcohol/drugs do not cause sexual assault. All responsibility always belongs to the person who chose to commit the assault.

Myth: "Sexual assaults only happens at parties, through online dating, or when walking alone at night."
Fact: Most victims who have been sexually assaulted were in an environment they considered safe and by someone they trust.

Myth: "If someone goes back to the person who assaulted them, it must not have been assault."
Fact: Trauma is complex. Survivors may maintain contact because of fear, manipulation, financial dependence, shared children, emotional attachment, or hope that things will improve.

Myth: "Only women experience sexual assault."
Fact: People of every gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, and background can experience sexual violence.

Myth: "False reports are common."
Fact: Research consistently shows that intentionally false reports are uncommon and occur at rates similar to other serious crimes.

Myth: "If they didn't say 'no,' they consented."
Fact: Consent requires a freely given "yes." Silence, lack of resistance, or uncertainty is not consent.

Myth: "Being married means consent is automatic."
Fact: Consent is required in every sexual encounter, regardless of relationship status.

Myth: "Flirting or kissing means someone has consented to sex."
Fact: Consent to one activity does not imply consent to another.

Myth: "Clothing causes sexual assault."
Fact: No type of clothing causes sexual assault. Responsibility always lies with the offender.

Myth: "Men always want sex."
Fact: Every person has the right to choose when, how, and whether they want to participate in sexual activity.

Myth: "Trauma memories should always be perfectly clear."
Fact: Trauma can affect memory. Survivors may remember events differently over time or recall details gradually.

Myth: "I am no longer worthy, and no one will want me."
Fact: Your worthiness is not based on another's poor behavior. This is something that happened to you without consent. You will always be worthy of real love, and your experience does not change that.

Myth: “My clothing or behavior made this partially or totally my fault.”
Fact: A person's clothing or choices never cause someone else to commit assault. A person commits assault and it is their responsibility.