Questions Survivors Ask Most Often
What is rape? Who can be raped? Was it still rape if I was not injured? But what if I knew the attacker?
Rape is the act of sexual intercourse against the wishes of the victim, and it can happen to anyone – young, old, girls, boys, men and women. Rape is not always violent – often the rapist is a family member, friend or family acquaintance. It is still rape.
What happens when someone is sexually abused? Who can be sexually abused?
Sexual abuse is when a person, usually someone older or more powerful, uses force, trickery or threats to gain sexual contact of any sort from another person. Sexual abuse can be kissing, touching, flashing, oral sex or pornography. Anyone can be sexually abused. Age, race, class or gender makes no difference.
Why did it have to happen to me?
Rape and sexual abuse is committed by individuals who have decided what they are going to do and have often carefully chosen their victim. They are bound up in issues of control and power and have nothing to do with love or sex. You have been an innocent victim of such an act. You are not to blame at all.
Destroying the myths that surround rape or childhood sexual abuse
A certain type of person is more likely to be raped and abused
NO! Unfortunately, people of all races, classes, appearances, backgrounds, life styles and ages (from babies to elderly citizens) are raped and sexually abused.
Only women are raped or sexually abused
NO! At least 20% of rape victims are male, and at least 35% of child sexual abuse victims are male.
Rape and sexual abuse are committed by perverts, maniacs or the ‘strangers in the dark alley’
NO! Over 50% of rapes are committed by a known person, often a relative, partner or lover. 75% of those who sexually abuse children are known and trusted by the child and the child’s family.
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