Mythbusters about guys
Unfortunately there are a lot of myths about guys and sexual assault and family violence. It’s important to break through these and get to the facts.
Sexual assault
Generally speaking, sexual assault is any type of unwanted sexual behaviour that makes someone feel uncomfortable, intimidated or afraid.
Myth – “Guys can’t get sexually assaulted”
Fact – Guys can also be victims. Any guy can be assaulted – it doesn’t matter what size he is, how strong he is, what he looks like, or what his sexual preferences are.
Myth – “Sexual assault and rape are not that common”
Fact – Sexual assault and rape are far too common. It is estimated that one in 6 boys are sexually assaulted by the time they are 18 and one in 3 girls by the age of 18.
Myth – “Guys who rape other guys are gay”
Fact – Most rapists believe they are heterosexual. Sexual assault is about violence, anger and control over another person. It is not about lust or sexual attraction.
Someone who prefers relationships with people of the opposite sex.
Myth – “Victims enjoy being raped”
Fact – No one enjoys being sexually assaulted. In some cases, the victim’s body may respond sexually during the assault, but this is because of how the body works, and is as out of your control as having an erection at an inconvenient time. This probably upsets the victim even more. Rape is about power. The offender uses aggression to humiliate and degrade the victim. Victims can suffer terror, shock, illness and injury during and after the assault. Longer term effects include loss of self esteem, on-going psychological problems, and relationship difficulties etc.
Myth – “Rape in relationships is not really rape”
Fact – Rape can take place in marriages and relationships through physical, psychological or emotional threats. Some people are forced by their partners into unwanted sexual acts. This can also happen in same sex relationships. This is still sexual assault and is a reportable crime.
Myth – “Rape victims are damaged goods”
Fact – Victims can and do survive the assault, and can gain strength and self respect in the process. This myth again blames the victim and is a hard one to break, but attitudes are slowly changing as people learn more about sexual assault.
Myth – “Violent guys can’t control their anger”
Fact – Everyone can control their anger if they want to. Violent guys control their anger around other people. Being violent with their partner isn’t violence that ‘gets out of hand’.
For more informationFor more information about this or to contact the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault go to the SECASA website. |
