You are more likely to be sexually assaulted by a stranger in a dark alley
Reality: false
The vast majority of reported cases involve someone known to them.
You can provoke rape through wearing revealing clothing or by flirting
Reality: false
Provocative clothing does not mean a ‘yes’. There is never an excuse for making unwanted sexual advances towards someone because of what they wear. Consent should not be assumed.
If you take drugs or drink alcohol, you should expect unwanted sexual advances
Reality: false
If someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol they’re vulnerable. This does not mean they are consenting to sex or able to give consent. The law states that a person has consented to sex if they agree by choice and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. This means they can’t be unconscious, asleep, drunk or too young to understand about sex.
You can’t be sexually assaulted by someone you’re in a relationship with or have had sex with before
Reality: false
People can be sexually assaulted or raped by someone they’re in a relationship with, including a long-term partner. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve had sex with a person before or not, you still have to agree to sex next time.
Some people regret having sex so they pretend they’ve been sexually assaulted
Reality: false
There is no evidence that more than a tiny percentage of people lie about being sexually assaulted. However, there is evidence that most people do not report being sexually assaulted because they feel ashamed or fear that they will not be believed.
You can only be sexually assaulted by a man with a penis
Reality: false
Women, men and people with other gender identities can be sexually assaulted by someone of the same or a different gender. Although our legal definition of rape only involves a penis, sexual assault by penetration can involve any other part of the body or any object. Other forms of sexual assault do not necessarily involve any penetration at all.