Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week
Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of sexual abuse and violence and to provide an opportunity to engage in dialogue.
Sexual violence is any form of sexual activity that takes place without the other person’s full and informed consent. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, class, or background. The fault lies solely with the perpetrator and there are no excuses or justifications for this behaviour.
Rape and sexual assault can be carried out by a stranger, but often the perpetrator is someone known to the victim and although research shows that the majority of sexual violence is experienced by women and girls, both men and boys can also be victims.
We would like to take this week to draw your attention to some of the rape myths out there…and why they are just that, myths.
- If someone gets really drunk, it’s their own fault if they end up getting raped.
- Just because a person is drunk or has taken drugs does not mean that they are willing to have sex. People have the right to drink alcohol without getting assaulted. Having sex with someone who is very drunk, drugged or unconscious is rape.
- Women wearing revealing clothing are inviting rape.
- It doesn’t matter what a woman is wearing. Her clothing or behaviour does not mean she is consenting to sex.
- Sexual abuse doesn’t happen in same-sex relationships.
- People in same-sex relationships are just as likely to experience sexual abuse and rape as straight people. According to research, transgender individuals may be at even higher risk of abuse from their partner. LGBT people can find it difficult to seek support because of additional stereotypes and prejudice they face.
- Women don’t commit sexual offences.
- The majority of sexual assaults and rapes are committed by men against women and children. However, women do perpetrate sexual violence against other women, men and children. Often people who've been sexually assaulted or abused by a woman worry they won't be believed, or their experiences won't be considered 'as bad'. This can make it difficult for these survivors to access services or justice.
- If someone didn’t scream or try to fight their attacker off, then it wasn’t rape.
- There are many reasons why someone might not scream or struggle. In fact, many people find that they cannot move or speak at all. Some rapists use manipulation or threats to intimidate or control the other person. Even if someone doesn’t 'fight back', if they didn’t freely consent to sex then it is rape.
- The victim had previously had sex with them so must have consented.
- Everyone has the right to say 'no' to any type of sexual activity at any time. A person who has chosen to have sexual activity with another person in the past does not give general consent to sexual intercourse with that person on any other occasion.