All About AzSAN
Meet the AzSAN Team
AzSAN Strategy
AzSAN News
Community Events
Statewide Services
Prevention
Myths & Facts
Legislation & Laws

Need to speak to someone right now? Call the RAINN Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE

ARIZONA SEXUAL ASSAULT NETWORK

Inspire someone to seek help by
anonymously sharing your personal
experience surviving sexual assault.

Read Survivor Stories...

“Reducing the Threat of Sexual Violence”

Myths & Facts

Myth - It will never happen to me.

False- Every 2 minutes someone is sexual assaulted, it could happen to you.

Myth - Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.

False -  60-80% of all sexual assaults are committed by someone person knows. 1 out of every 7 women are assaulted by their husbands. 85% of child sexual assaults are by someone in the family or known to the family.

Myth - The motive of sexual assault is to have sex.
False - Sexual assault is a crime of violence, anger and power committed by a person who uses sex as a weapon. The motive is aggression, most perpetrators have consenting sexual partners.

Myth - If a person does not scream or fight, it is not a sexual assault.
False - The perpetrator’s weapon is fear. The person assaulted does not have to have bruises, cuts or any physical injuries to prove that they where sexually assaulted. Submission out of fear is not consent, it is against the person’s will.

Myth - If someone experiences sexual arousal or orgasm from sexual abuse it means they where a willing participant and enjoy it.
False - It simply means the body reacted. It does not mean that positive emotions or consent was given.

Myth - Only women can be sexual assaulted.
False - Men are socialized not to be vulnerable and therefore are less likely to report a sexual abuse; however statistics show, one out of every 10 men has been assaulted and 1 out of six boys will be sexually abused by the age 18.

Myth - It's easy to spot a sex offender. They are creepy and have shifty eyes.
False - Sex offenders come from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, sex, and age. Normally if you will be assault it will come from someone you already know, so do not let your guard down on first impressions and remain alert around acquaintances at all times.

Myth - Women claim rape to get even with men.
False - Although it may happen on rare occasions, false rape charges are the least reported crimes, nationwide. Less than 5% of reported sexual assaults are false accusations.

Myth - People who are married or in relationships can not sexually assault each other.
False - If a spouse forces his or her mate to have sex, then it is a sexual assault crime.

Research:

New York City Detective Bureau and 911rape.org