How many of these myths have you heard of?

Any one of us could be called for jury duty in our lifetime. Myths about rape and sexual violence are still brought into jury rooms and form obstacles to obtaining convictions. We want to raise awareness of these myths to help dispel them. Let us know how many of these you’ve heard of on Twitter or Facebook.   Myth one: Rape occurs between strangers in dark alleys The majority of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim. This can include friends, acquaintances and partners.   Myth two: The way you dress or act provokes rape The only person to blame for rape is the rapist. Sex without consent is rape.   Myth three: You’re ‘asking’ to be raped if you drink too much or take drugs The only person to blame for rape is the rapist. If someone is unable to give consent because they’re drunk, drugged or unconscious, it is rape.   Myth four: If they didn’t say no, fight or scream it wasn’t rape A common reaction to rape is to ‘freeze’; paralysed with terror or shock a person may not be able to respond. The victim may also be forced to co-operate out of fear of being killed or seriously injured.   Myth five: People cry rape when they regret having sex or want revenge This reinforces stereotypes and stigmatises victims. According to the Crown Prosecution Service: “Between January 2011 and May 2012, the DPP required CPS areas to refer to him all cases involving an allegedly false allegation of rape and/or domestic violence. During that time, there were 5,651 prosecutions for rape but only 35 for making false allegations of rape.”   Myth six: Men don’t get raped Men do experience rape and sexual violence and most of them never report it or ask for help. Men who rape other men are often heterosexual.   Myth seven: You can tell if they’ve ‘really’ been raped by how they act This myth discourages victims to get help and re-traumatises them. Reactions to rape and sexual violence are varied and victims can often feel emotionally numb and calm.   Myth eight: Rape is a crime of passion This assumes rape is impulsive, unplanned and that the rapist can’t control themselves. In fact most rapes are premeditated, planned and about feeling powerful and in control.   Myth nine: Sex workers can’t get raped Sex workers have the same rights to consent as anyone else. Consent for sex can be given, refused and withdrawn at any time. The transactions they negotiate with clients are for consensual activities, not rape.   Myth ten: If they didn’t complain about it immediately then it wasn’t rape A victim can feel shock and shame after such a traumatic event and may not want to report it immediately. The victim may also be considering how reporting it could affect children and other family members.   Could you help your friend after rape or sexual violence? See our advice: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/campaigns/rape-and-sexual-violence/advice-booklet/ Read more about our campaign on rape and sexual violence: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/campaigns/rape-and-sexual-violence/ These rape and sexual violence myths are from the Crown Prosecution Service. Read more about these myths: https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/rape-and-sexual-offences-chapter-21-societal-myths

Message Sent By Communications Team WWDW (Police, Communications Team, Gloucestershire)