Unfortunately, cultural biases often lead to further shame, blame and fear. Is it any wonder that over half of sexual assault cases are never reported? With your help, Making a Difference Canada will continue to challenge the justice system, shatter stereotypes and create a growing network of support for survivors of sexual assault.
MYTH 1: Most rapes are committed by strangers.
FACT: More often than not, sexual assault is perpetrated by a family member, relative, friend or acquaintance. In fact, in 64% of reported cases the victim knew the accused.
MYTH 2: People sometimes say "no", whey they really mean "yes".
FACT: No means NO, regardless of the circumstance. Also, if someone says "yes" under duress it is not consent—consent must be given voluntarily.
MYTH 3: Men can't be raped.
FACT: Many men don't report their sexual assault, so statistics are limited. However, of the assaults that are reported, approximately 15.7% of them involve male victims.
MYTH 4: She must have somehow "asked for it."
FACT: This is often how the attacker justifies his behavior. What ‘type of woman' she is, what her occupation is, or how a woman dresses or acts, are irrelevant. No one asks to be raped.
MYTH 5: Women who feel guilty or vindictive often lie about being raped.
FACT: Rarely are false reports of sexual assault made. The truth is, sexual assault is a greatly under-reported crime, especially if the survivor knows her (or his) attacker.
MYTH 6: Certain types of women are "unrapeable."
FACT: Regardless of a woman's profession or sexual practices, she can still be sexually assaulted. If consent isn't given willingly it is rape. Rape is not about the sex, it is an act of dominance and control.
MYTH 7: Women can't be assaulted by husbands or boyfriends.
FACT: According to the law, a woman has the right to say no to her significant other. Again, it's about willing consent. If it's not given, it's sexual assault.
MYTH 8: Carrying some form of protection can prevent sexual assault.
FACT: Maybe. Maybe not. But telling someone that carrying mace or keys between their fingers, etc could prevent an attack only adds to a survivor's sense of guilt and self-blame.
MYTH 9: Rape is a crime of passion.
FACT: In over 70% of the cases, rape is a premeditated act of VIOLENCE, and has nothing to do with passion. The vast majority of rapists are motivated by power, anger, and control, not sexual gratification.
MYTH 10: People who are intoxicated or on drugs are willing to participate in any kind of sexual activity.
FACT: Drinking or taking drugs does not imply consent. In fact, alcohol and drugs can render a person incapable of consent—and no consent equals assault.
► Bold Initiative Challenges Attitudes Around Drinking and Sexual Assault.
After alarming statistics revealed that 70% to 90% of sexual assaults involved alcohol, a diverse group of community organizations joined forces with the Edmonton Police to form a coalition called Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton (SAVE). When results of a UK study...
► Upcoming BC Institute of Technology Forensic Health Science Courses.
August 29, 2011: Forensic Science Technology Program, Forensic Health Sciences Option...
► A few spaces still open for Sexual Assault Examiners
Course.
August 19, 2011: Mount Royal University is offering the following courses to professionals working with victims of violence, including sexual assault such as nurses, physicians, counsellors, lawyers, and police...
►"Don’t be that guy" Campaign Receives National Attention.
June 23&24, 2011: The Edmonton team’s Don’t be that Guy campaign shared centre stage with other North American social marketing campaigns at the Addressing Sexual Violence – Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives conference in Toronto, Ontario...
►Making a Difference Canada Webinar June Presentation now Available.
June, 2011:Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault: what every service provider needs to know. This session, led by a recognized Canadian drug expert, was offered to augment understanding and assist service providers to respond more effectively to drug facilitated sexual assaults...
► Supreme Court Issues Decision on Advanced Consent in Sexual Assault.
May 27, 2011: the Supreme Court of Canada issued a decision that ruled
against the idea of "advance consent" to sexual assault. They concluded that there can be no consent in law when a woman is unconscious...
► Making a Difference Canada Webinar Held on April 18.
For those who missed it, you can now download the presentation.
27-1 FEB.-MAR.
2012
World Conference on
Women's Shelters:
Washington, DC USA
Highlighting the issue of economic empowerment and justice for women and girls within the context of violence against women.
23-25 APR.
2012
EVAW International Conference 2012
San Diego, CA USA
Registration is Now Open!
Register by December 31, 2011, and save $100.00 off the full conference fee!
What got me through? So many people, so many supportive actions. And the fact that people believe me. I did not have to live with the horror of being doubted.
My priest told me that I should find forgiveness and move on. Well, I have moved on with my life, but I will never forgive my attacker. He has forever injured my spirit.
I am now able to articulate without fear, guilt or shame that I am a black woman who has survived rape.
If we don't go on living, they might as well have killed us. We need to keep on living our lives.
I am a man - and I am a rape victim. People think my story is unusual. But I am speaking out so that others can see that this happens to men, too, a lot more often than they think.
There’s nothing that yhou could ever do that would make it OK for someone to rape you. Nothing it doesn’t matter where you were, or what you did. Realizing this was the beginning of healing.
