Myths and beliefs
Many messages about sexual violence are being passed on in society. These social messages have been internalized by being hammered out and are often perceived as absolute truths. And yet, these messages stem from rape culture. A culture that aims, among other things, to hold victims as responsible and whitewash perpetrators of sexual violence. Let’s take the time to deconstruct some of the most popular myths and prejudices.
Most victims, because of the way they dress or behave, provoked the attack.
No one wants to be assaulted. No victim is responsible for the aggression they suffered, regardless of what they were wearing, where they were, and what they were doing, whether they had been drinking or taking drugs, or what kind of relationship they had with the aggressor. The only person responsible is the aggressor, because they are the ones who decide to commit the act of violence
Most victims, because of the way they dress or behave, provoked the attack.
No one wants to be assaulted. No victim is responsible for the aggression they suffered, regardless of what they were wearing, where they were, and what they were doing, whether they had been drinking or taking drugs, or what kind of relationship they had with the aggressor. The only person responsible is the aggressor, because they are the ones who decide to commit the act of violence
Just over 8% of accusations are false. (Statistics Canada). Victims of sexual violence carry with them many myths and prejudices. What’s more, when victims of sexual violence come forward, they are likely to be confronted with prejudice.
Filing a complaint takes time and courage and sparks many emotions. It’s a long and painful process that keeps the victim in the traumatic event. No one discloses such acts for the fun of it.
Barely 5% of sexual assaults are reported to the police (Statistics Canada, 2019). The charge rate was 34% in 2017. The percentage of sexual assault cases resulting in guilty decisions has remained stable over the past 10 years. In 2016-2017, 59% of all people convicted of sexual assault brought before an adult court were given a prison sentence, and 19% received a probation order as the most severe sentence (Justice Canada, 2019).
Several people make false accusations.
Several people make false accusations.
Just over 8% of accusations are false. (Statistics Canada). Victims of sexual violence carry with them many myths and prejudices. What’s more, when victims of sexual violence come forward, they are likely to be confronted with prejudice.
Filing a complaint takes time and courage and sparks many emotions. It’s a long and painful process that keeps the victim in the traumatic event. No one discloses such acts for the fun of it.
Barely 5% of sexual assaults are reported to the police (Statistics Canada, 2019). The charge rate was 34% in 2017. The percentage of sexual assault cases resulting in guilty decisions has remained stable over the past 10 years. In 2016-2017, 59% of all people convicted of sexual assault brought before an adult court were given a prison sentence, and 19% received a probation order as the most severe sentence (Justice Canada, 2019).
Aggressors have uncontrollable sexual urges.
This belief is tenacious and unfounded. Sexual urges are controllable. It is also toxic for two reasons. On the one hand, it enables men to justify their insistent, even aggressive sexual behaviour under the pretense of vital, physiological needs that must be met. It puts the onus on women to avoid being attractive to not arouse men’s irrepressible desires. On the other hand, it suggests to women that it’s safer to submit than risk the man losing control.
If male sexual urges were truly uncontrollable, we’d be witnesses to or victims of rape all the time, in every circumstance.
Sexual violence is often premeditated. The aggressor has a hidden agenda. Sexual assault is about taking power over another person: taking power over the victim to dominate them. Committing sexual violence is an act of seizure of power, not a loss of control.
Aggressors have uncontrollable sexual urges.
This belief is tenacious and unfounded. Sexual urges are controllable. It is also toxic for two reasons. On the one hand, it enables men to justify their insistent, even aggressive sexual behaviour under the pretense of vital, physiological needs that must be met. It puts the onus on women to avoid being attractive to not arouse men’s irrepressible desires. On the other hand, it suggests to women that it’s safer to submit than risk the man losing control.
If male sexual urges were truly uncontrollable, we’d be witnesses to or victims of rape all the time, in every circumstance.
Sexual violence is often premeditated. The aggressor has a hidden agenda. Sexual assault is about taking power over another person: taking power over the victim to dominate them. Committing sexual violence is an act of seizure of power, not a loss of control.
“There’s no possible correlation between mentally ill people and sex offenders. In fact, the biggest problem with sexual aggressors is that they are not neurotic enough. If they were, they’d repress the effect that generates their anguish and wouldn’t carry out the act,” explains expert psychologist François Biringer.
Most aggressors premeditate their crimes and do not have serious psychological problems. These people use their relationship of trust or their position of authority with the victim. In fact, more than half of all sexual assaults against adults are committed in a private residence or on private property (INSPQ, 2022).
The aggressor will also use various strategies such as manipulation, threats, blackmail, physical violence or trying to make the victim feel guilty.
Sex offenders have a mental illness.
Sex offenders have a mental illness.
“There’s no possible correlation between mentally ill people and sex offenders. In fact, the biggest problem with sexual aggressors is that they are not neurotic enough. If they were, they’d repress the effect that generates their anguish and wouldn’t carry out the act,” explains expert psychologist François Biringer.
Most aggressors premeditate their crimes and do not have serious psychological problems. These people use their relationship of trust or their position of authority with the victim. In fact, more than half of all sexual assaults against adults are committed in a private residence or on private property (INSPQ, 2022).
The aggressor will also use various strategies such as manipulation, threats, blackmail, physical violence or trying to make the victim feel guilty.
A person cannot be assaulted by his or her spouse/partner/girlfriend/boyfriend.
In the 2018 Safety in Public and Private Spaces Survey, nearly 6 out of 10 women reported experiencing at least one form of sexual violence. People in couples, especially women, still experience social pressure to ”sexually satisfy” their partner. A person should never be forced to have sex with their spouse or any other person. A person is free to consent or not to a sexual relationship. They have the right not to feel like having sex and refuse at any moment and time with anyone.
A person cannot be assaulted by his or her spouse/partner/girlfriend/boyfriend.
In the 2018 Safety in Public and Private Spaces Survey, nearly 6 out of 10 women reported experiencing at least one form of sexual violence. People in couples, especially women, still experience social pressure to ”sexually satisfy” their partner. A person should never be forced to have sex with their spouse or any other person. A person is free to consent or not to a sexual relationship. They have the right not to feel like having sex and refuse at any moment and time with anyone.
Feeling physical sensations or having physiological reactions (erection, sexual tension, lubrication, orgasm) in no way means the victim consented or enjoyed what happened to them. When the body is stimulated, a physical reaction is expected to be triggered, whether desired or not. It is plain and simple what a physiological mechanism is about: stimulation = reaction. So the head and heart may cry out “no,” hating what is happening, while, despite everything, the body reacts. This physiological reaction may be the source of guilt and confusion in victims who find it difficult to understand what is happening to them.
If the victim experienced physical sensations or physiological reactions during the attack, they most likely enjoyed it.
If the victim experienced physical sensations or physiological reactions during the attack, they most likely enjoyed it.
Feeling physical sensations or having physiological reactions (erection, sexual tension, lubrication, orgasm) in no way means the victim consented or enjoyed what happened to them. When the body is stimulated, a physical reaction is expected to be triggered, whether desired or not. It is plain and simple what a physiological mechanism is about: stimulation = reaction. So the head and heart may cry out “no,” hating what is happening, while, despite everything, the body reacts. This physiological reaction may be the source of guilt and confusion in victims who find it difficult to understand what is happening to them.
If a victim does not clearly say “no,” they are consenting.
The absence of a “no” is not equivalent to a “yes.” The Canadian Criminal Code stipulates that, for consent to be valid, the person must express their agreement by word or gesture. So, for consent to be valid, the person must speak up with an ENTHUSIASTIC yes. In this sense, the absence of resistance is not equivalent to consent.
Moreover, consent must be voluntary, free, and informed. However, in many cases of sexual violence, the victim may be coerced by fear of reprisals, breaking up the family, physical violence, death, etc. Victims may also find themselves in a context that prevents them from consenting. For example
”A person may not give consent, particularly if they are incapable of expressing it (e.g., disability, alcohol intoxication), if it is given through abuse of trust, power or authority (e.g., under threat) if it is given by a person in a situation of dependence, or under 16 years of age, except in cases of exception expressly provided for. In addition, it must be expressed by the person themself; the consent of a third party is not valid. ” Definition of sexual assault | INSPQ
If a victim does not clearly say “no,” they are consenting.
The absence of a “no” is not equivalent to a “yes.” The Canadian Criminal Code stipulates that, for consent to be valid, the person must express their agreement by word or gesture. So, for consent to be valid, the person must speak up with an ENTHUSIASTIC yes. In this sense, the absence of resistance is not equivalent to consent.
Moreover, consent must be voluntary, free, and informed. However, in many cases of sexual violence, the victim may be coerced by fear of reprisals, breaking up the family, physical violence, death, etc. Victims may also find themselves in a context that prevents them from consenting. For example
”A person may not give consent, particularly if they are incapable of expressing it (e.g., disability, alcohol intoxication), if it is given through abuse of trust, power or authority (e.g., under threat) if it is given by a person in a situation of dependence, or under 16 years of age, except in cases of exception expressly provided for. In addition, it must be expressed by the person themself; the consent of a third party is not valid. ” Definition of sexual assault | INSPQ
Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, social class, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. However, certain groups of people are more at risk of being victims of sexual violence due to the different systems of oppression and their intersectionality. Thus, women, people from the LGBTQ+ community, aboriginal women, women with disabilities, racialized or immigrant women, sex workers, homeless women, women in disadvantaged situations, older women and children are at greater risk of being victims of sexual violence. (Statistics Canada, 2021)
Certain types of people will never be mugged.
Certain types of people will never be mugged.
Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, social class, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. However, certain groups of people are more at risk of being victims of sexual violence due to the different systems of oppression and their intersectionality. Thus, women, people from the LGBTQ+ community, aboriginal women, women with disabilities, racialized or immigrant women, sex workers, homeless women, women in disadvantaged situations, older women and children are at greater risk of being victims of sexual violence. (Statistics Canada, 2021)

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