MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT

MYTH: BLACK WOMEN ARE USED TO BEING RAPED SO IT'S NO BIG DEAL.
FACT: Rape is one of the worst crimes a human can commit against another human. It is always a big deal. You may be forced to endure it, you may try to forget it, but you can never get used to it. Black women are just as sensitive as other women, our feelings are just as important and we should never feel 'weak' for asking for the help we need to come to terms with rape.

MYTH: 'REAL' BLACK MEN DON'T GET RAPED. ONLY HOMOSEXUALS GET RAPED.
FACT: Any Black man is just as likely to be raped as the next man. A large percentage of male survivors are raped by two or more men. You do not have to be homosexual to be raped. Rape is not about sex, it's about power and control and anyone can fall victim. As you may be aware, Black men make up a disproportionate number of men behind bars and sexual assault in prison, against both men and women, is increasing at an alarming rate. To join the campaign against prisoner rape, visit Stop Prisoner Rape website.

MYTH: IF YOU'RE RAPED, YOU MIGHT AS WELL LIE BACK AND ENJOY IT.
FACT: Rape is not just 'rough sex'. It is an act of violence, a crime against the soul. Nobody enjoys being forced to have sexual contact against their will. But the body betrays and there are cases when a survivor actually lubricates or even orgasms during rape, but s/he should not feel guilty as this is the body's natural reaction to stimulation. This does not mean s/he enjoys being taken by force. And if the survivor does not put up a fight, it does not mean s/he did not get raped. It means s/he made whatever choice s/he felt was necessary to stay alive.

MYTH: PAEDOPHILES AND MOLESTERS DON'T EXIST IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT SOME NASTY WHITE MEN DO.
FACT: You would be shocked to learn just how prevalent rape, incest and child abuse are within African and Diasporan communities - as they are within other racial groups. You probably know someone, either personally or in the public eye, who has been a victim of incest or child abuse. There are countless others who have been victimised who you don't know. The more we pretend the problem doesn't exist, the more damaging it becomes.

MYTH: WHEN A WOMAN CRIES RAPE, SHE'S JUST REGRETTING SEX OR TRYING TO GET BACK AT A MAN WHO REJECTED HER.
FACT: While there are cases of false rape accusation, these are very rare. Several US studies indicate less than 2 per cent of rape reports are proven false. Unfortunately, the false cases tend to grab the headlines. The reality is that most women are too scared or ashamed to admit they have been violated and when a woman does speak out, she knows that it may cost her reputation. But in the majority of cases, few women want to put themselves or anyone else through a potentially costly and emotionally turbulent rape trial out of spite. Women who 'cry rape' are usually telling the truth.

FOR MORE GENERAL MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE, VISIT THE SITE RAPE: MYTH VERSUS REALITY

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