Myths about sexual assault make it difficult for people to report or discuss assaults, which is a problem considering the number of Hoosiers who are victims of sexual assault. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20.4% of Indiana residents have experienced sexual violence.
“We need to be more aggressive in having deep and meaningful conversations about healthy relationships and consent and really talking about what it is to be genuinely kind citizens of the world,” Tracy Horth Krueger, CEO of the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, said. “I think we have problems having those conversations.”
A way to make those conversations easier is to spread more awareness and understanding about sexual assault. However, doing so requires peeling back the cultural stigmas and misunderstandings about sexual assault.
Myth 1: Strangers mostly commit sexual assault
The phrase “sexual assault” usually conjures images of dangerous strangers, but strangers are not the most common perpetrators of sexual assault. According to Aly Austin, a survivor advocate at Families First, 70% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. This could be anyone from a coworker to a family member.
Burton Patterson, rape prevention education coordinator at the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, said sexual assaulters also often “groom” the victim by creating a trusting relationship with the victim before sexually assaulting him or her. The goal is to cause the target to drop their guard while faking a healthy relationship because if others believe the assaulter is engaging in a normal relationship, then they are less likely to believe allegations.
“There’s people who don’t believe the victim.” Austin said. “Sometimes they are like, ‘No, that person couldn’t do it because they are so well respected, and they are so nice,’ so it is harder.”
Myth 2: It’s only a women’s issue
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 16% of boys were sexually abused before turning 18 years old. Most male victims were abused before turning 18, according to Austin.
Austin added men are expected to be strong and independent, the opposite of the stigma of sexual assault victims. That causes male victims to be less likely to report sexual assault to friends, family, organizations and authorities than women. Often male victims of sexual assault are too afraid of being labeled weak or gay to speak out.
“There is this whole idea that men need to be tough,” Austin said. “They need to be able to protect themselves. They’re strong. How could they let this happen?”
Myth 3: It doesn’t involve me.
If you haven’t experienced sexual assault, it’s easy to write it off as someone else’s problem.
According to Austin, victims of sexual assault are six times more likely to suffer from PTSD, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs and are at a higher risk of attempting suicide.
Patterson said sexual assault is never just one person’s problem. Dealing with sexual assault is a long-term process, one that victims often share in with those close to them.
“Chances are, we all know someone who has been affected by sexual assault, and that ripple effect is very real, and I think it can be very devastating for a victim’s parents or family or friends because they see the pain their loved one is going through,” Patterson said.
Contact staff writer Ben Lashar at 317-762-7848. Follow him on Twitter @BenjaminLashar.
Sexual assault resources:
Families First
familiesfirstindiana.org
Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault
indianacesa.org
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
rainn.org
Center of Hope
ecommunity.com/services/emergency-medicine/center-of-hope
Julian Center
juliancenter.org
Center for Victim and
Human Rights
cvhr.org
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) concept with teal awareness ribbon.nanami_o
