Rape+Myths

Leah Pasquesi **Rape Myths ** Rape myths perpetuate many false prejudices and stereotypes about rape, rape victims and rapists (McMahon, 2010). These beliefs are problematic in that they have become relatively widely accepted, as if they are common social and sexual norms. Such beliefs have the potential to deny and justify aggression against victims, which are mostly commonly women (MCMahon, 2010). The acceptance of rape myths and the way in which such myths are communicated by people generate false meaning and perceived truth about sexual assault throughout different contexts, cultures, media, as well as other ways. The acceptance of rape myths demonstrates not only the fact that there are many misconceptions surrounding sexual assault, but can also predict the actual perception of sexual violence (Suarez & Gadalla, 2010). As a result, such myths encourage doubt among sexual assault survivors as well as victim blame.
 * What is a Rape Myth? **

Rape myths can also be defined by cultural beliefs that mainly serve the purpose of shifting blame from perpetrators to victims (Suarz & Gadalla, 2010). Some of the rape myths that exist in our society often blame the victims for the violence another person committed against them. Such myths exist because society believes victims of sexual assault can be partially to blame for the actions of the perpetrator, which is completely false. Such victim-blaming statements may discourage rape victims from reporting their sexual assaults to the police and to other authorities (Suarex & Gadalla, 2010). Statements that focus on the actions or behaviors of victims such as: “what was she wearing,” “how much did you have to drink,” “where you walking alone,” “were you clear with him,” “did you fight back,” etc are all victim-blaming statements that may be reactions made by supporters of survivors as well as legal services, the police, clergy and even health care providers. Because such victim-blaming rape myths occur, victims who were walking home alone, wearing a short skirt or were heavily intoxicated when they were sexually assaulted may be perceived by others as if they were “asking for it,” focusing on all the attention of what the victims did rather than the fact that the perpetrator choose to be sexually aggressive towards another person. In accepting such rape myths, society perpetuates false beliefs that the perpetrators, who are mostly commonly men, are unable to control their sexual desires (Chapeleau & Oswald, 2010). Research indicates that rape victims, who experience such non-supportive reactions, may experience post-rape trauma as a result of being blamed by loved ones and other individuals they disclose to (Suarez & Gadalla, 2010).
 * Victim-Blaming Rape Myths **

//Myth: Rape is sex. // This rape myth is problematic because it equates rape with sex. Sex is a shared experience in which both parties have consented to it, whereas sexual assault is forced, unwanted, and is not a shared experience. Rape is a crime of power and control. In equating rape to sex, this promotes beliefs that rape can be sexy or a wanted experience. In perpetuating such a belief, victims may even convince themselves that they did not experience a sexual assault, which may redefine their traumatic experience as being less painful or upsetting as it was, because sex is not suppose to be painful or upsetting. In not identifying their experience as a sexual assault, this may encourage victims to blame themselves or feel confused as to why their ‘sexual’ experience was as incredibly traumatic as it was. Moreover, survivors of sexual assault experience long-lasting and often physical and psychological reactions, which can include post-traumatic stress disorder as well as socially related issues that can affect relationships with family, friends, as well as partners (Doherty & Anderson, 2004). //Myth: Men can’t be raped. // Although the majority of victims of sexual assault are women, men can be victims of sexual assault. In 1994, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act redefined rape in order to take into account male victims in additional to female victims (Doherty & Anderson, 2004). Just as a female sexual assault survivor, male rape survivors also experience some of the same physical, emotional, social responses to their traumatic experiences. Although male victims comprise a very small percentage of sexual assault survivors, the additional stigma men experience due to strict gender roles, can cause male victims to remain silent and without support (Doherty & Anderson, 2004). //Myth: Sexual assault is most commonly committed by strangers. // Commonly college age women are victims of sexual assault, as one in every four women on college and university campuses have been victims of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault (Lee, Caruso, Goins, & Southerland, 2003). According to the US Department of Justice in 2000, ninety percent of college students who’ve been sexually assaulted knew their assailant (Harrison, Howerton, Secanea & Nguygen, 2008). Therefore, majority of sexual assault are committed by someone the victim knows, whether it be a classmate, acquaintance, dating partner, co-worker, or friend. //Myth: Poor men or men of color are commonly the perpetrators of sexual assault. // Not only is this a racist belief, it is also completely false. Because most sexual assaults are committed by someone the perpetrator knows, they commonly share many or at least some of the same social identities as the victim, meaning they are the often of the same race, class, and age group. //Myth: A man cannot rape his wife // Rape can happen in and outside of relationships. Regardless of whether individuals are in a relationship or not, both individuals should give consent before having sex. Many states now have laws against rape in marriage. It is estimated that approximately seven to twenty-five percent of wives are raped at least once during their marriage (Munge, Pomerantz, Pettibone, & Falconer, 2007). Although some may perceive rape within marriages to be less traumatic, many battered women experience some form of sexual abuse within their marriages.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Dispelling Rape Myths **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Sexual norms surrounding sexual assault should be completely free of rape myths that encourage victim blame and other inaccurate stereotypes about rape, rape victims and perpetrators. Sexual assault is a pervasive issue that affects an incredible amount of individuals. In spreading awareness and knowledge about sexual assault, rape myths can be dispelled. In dispelling such myths, victims of sexual assault can be given the voice they deserve and their stories can be shared.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Conclusion **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Chapleau, K.M., Oswald, D.L (2010). Power, Sex, and Rape Myth Acceptance: Testing Two Models of Rape Proclivity. //Journal of Sex Research//, 47, 66-78.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">References **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Doherty, K., Anders, I. (2004). Making Sense of Male rape: Constructions of Gender, Sexuality and Experience of Rape Victims. //Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology//, 14, 75-103.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Harrison, L., Howerton, D., Secarea, A., Nguygen, C. (2008). Effects of in-group bias and gender role violations on acquaintance rape attributions. //Sex Roles//, 59, 713-725.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Lee, R.W., Carus, M., Goin, S., Southerland, J.P., (2003). Addressing sexual assault on college campuses: Guidelines for a prevention/awareness week. //Journal of College Campuses//, 6, 14-23.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">McMahon, S. (2010). Rape Myth Beliefs and Bystander Attitudes Among Incoming College Students. //Journal of American College Health//, 59, 3-11.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Munge, B.A, Pomerantz, A.M, Pettibone, J.C, Falconer, J.W (2007). The Influence of Length of Marriage and Fidelity Status on Perception of Marital Rape. //Journal of Interpersonal Violence//, 22, 1320-1340.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Sorrow Tears and Blood. Photo. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">< [|http://www.sexandlasgidi.com/wp- content/uploads/2010/04/Rape__by_little_pretty.png]<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">> Taken on April 10, 2011.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Suarez, E., Gadalla, T.M. (2010). Stop Blaming the Victim: A Meta-Analysis on Rape Myths. //Journal of Interpersonal Violence//, 25, 2010-2035.