Myths about rape
Myths about rape are extremely harmful and can prevent victim-survivors from getting the help and support they need.
Everyone has ideas about what rape is – who does it to whom and why. Those who have been raped will be affected by whatever preconceptions they themselves have held about rape, as well as by the attitudes held by others they come into contact with.
If you have always thought of rape in terms of strangers in the street, and a friend or partner rapes you in your own home, it may be hard initially to even recognise what happened as rape.
Victim-survivors often blame themselves for causing the violence. Myths about rape reinforce this negative self-blaming, often by placing emphasis on what the victim-survivor was doing and how they were behaving, or by finding an excuse for the perpetrators actions.
The victim-survivor of rape and sexual violence is never responsible for the violent acts that have been perpetrated against them. The perpetrator is solely responsible for the violence. There are no excuses or exceptions.
One of the major myths about rape and sexual violence is that it is about sex. Rapists are motivated by power and control, they use a forced sexual act to achieve this. Rape is just a way of gaining power – not a way of gaining sexual relief.
The latest from our news and blogs
Shame must change sides
In four words, Gisèle Pelicot articulated what all women around the world need to hear. I want to explore the experience of shame as a victim of rape, because sometimes it’s just not as easy as “I shouldn’t be ashamed, so I won’t be”.
Rape Culture: not just a buzzword
A university student, who experienced sexual violence during the first month of enrolling, reflects on the aftermath and the pervasive nature of rape culture on campus and within wider society.
The impact of trauma on pregnancy, birth & parenthood
Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, and for many, it can also be a challenging one. If you’ve experienced rape or sexual abuse, the past trauma can feel like a heavy weight, influencing your experiences throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early stages of parenthood.
