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Myths exist for many reasons which include our inherent social structure, gender role expectations, and the exercise of power in our society. Determine whether each statement is a myth or fact. Let's see how much you know.

Some women deserved to be raped. Myth: Our society believes that a victim is responsible for their rape by the way they dress, by being out late at night, by drinking alcohol, by flirting with someone etc. In adopting this philosophy, our society can feel SAFE that "good"women will not be raped and some women deserve to be raped. This belief is a method of perceived self protection - "I would never go out alone at night in a skirt, therefore I will never be raped."This myth does not protect - it leaves women vulnerable to a perpetrator because they think it won't happen to them.

The seductive clothing that females wear today provokes many rapes. Myth: Convicted rapists often report that they were unaware of their victim's attire- they were aware of their victim's vulnerability. A woman's clothing does not encourage rape.

Males can be raped. Fact: Although male to female rape is the most common form of rape, males can be raped as well. This is found mostly in male children by an adult or someone who is greater in size and strength. This is called child sexual abuse. Approximately 1 in 6 males are sexually abused before the age of 16 (Lisak & Luster, 1994; Lisak, Hopper, & Song, 1996).

It's not sexual assault if drinking or drugs are involved. Myth: Being under the influence of alcohol and drugs is not an invitation for nonconsensual sexual activity. Many state laws hold that a person who is cognitively impaired due to the influence of drugs or alcohol is not able to consent sexual activity. The act of an offender who deliberately uses alcohol or drugs as a means to subdue someone in order to engage in non-consensual sexual activity is a criminal. The most common drugs involved in this are Rohypnol and GHB, both widely known as "date rape"drugs.

Women use a cry of rape for revenge or to mask regret. Myth: Society says that it is common for a woman to "lead a man on"and then cry rape as a way of getting back at him for something, indicating that women use rape as a tool to seek revenge. There has been evidence of cases of such accusations. However, false rape claims are extremely rare. False reports consist of about 2% of rape reports. The traumatic aftermath of reporting rape, i.e. public reaction, medical procedures, police investigation, etc. are to great for false claims. Sexual Assault Prevention Education Program, ICASA

Most rapes are committed by someone that the victim knows. Fact: Statistics show that most victims know their perpetrator. Acquaintance, date, and spousal rape is dramatically more prevalent than stranger rape. In a study published by the Department of Justice, 82% of the victims were raped by someone they knew.

A female can't be raped if she really fights back. Myth: The rapist can overpower the victim with force or threats. A victim may be unable to fend off the attack, may be paralyzed by fear or confusion or may be passive to avoid further injury. Whatever she did to survive the assault was the right thing to do.

Rape usually involves a black man raping a white woman. Myth: Contrary to belief, the vast majority of sexual assaults and rapes are intra-racial, meaning that a victim is more likely to have been rape by someone of their own race rather than someone of a different race, with the exception of American Indian victims. According to statistics, American Indian victims reported approximately 8 in 10 rapes or sexual assaults are committed by someone outside their race. Native women also experience a higher rate of sexual assault victimization than any other race.

Most rapes are committed in the home of either the victim or the perpetrator. Fact: More than fifty percent of sexual assaults occur in a private home. Most rapes occur in the victim's home. The idea that most sexual assaults fit the 'stranger-in-a-dark-alley' stereotype can lead to a false sense of security.