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Common Myths About Sexual Misconduct

Rape myths, assumptions, and stereotypes are harmful. These false statements not only discourage survivors from speaking up but also hinder our community from effectively dealing with and eradicating sexual misconduct.

Listed below are some common myths about sexual misconduct with corresponding information and facts on this very serious matter.

Myth: Sexual assault is an act of lust and passion that can’t be controlled.

Fact: Sexual assault is about power and control and is not entirely motivated by sexual gratification [1].

Myth: Sexual assault is most often committed by strangers.

Fact: 8 out of 10 cases of sexual violence involve perpetrators who are known to the survivor, usually in the capacity of an acquaintance or a current/former intimate partner [2].

Myth: A person cannot sexually assault their partner or spouse.

Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime [3]. With the passing of the Criminal Law Reform Act in 2019, there is no longer legal immunity for marital rape in Singapore today [4].

Myth: Sexual assaults most often occur in public or outdoors.

Fact: 55% of rape or sexual assault victimisations occur at or near the survivor’s home. 12% occur at or near the home of a friend, relative, or acquaintance [5].

Myth: If a person goes to someone’s room, house, or  to a bar, they can’t claim to have been raped or sexually assaulted because they should have known not to go to those places.

Fact: This “assumption of risk” wrongfully places the responsibility of the offender’s actions with the survivor. Even if a person went voluntarily to someone’s residence or room and consented to engage in some sexual activity, it does not serve as a blanket consent for all sexual activity.

Myth: Wearing revealing clothing, behaving provocatively, or drinking a lot means the survivor was “asking for it”.

Fact: The perpetrator selects the victim. The survivor’s behaviour or clothing choices do not mean that they consent to sexual activity.

Myth: It’s not a big deal to have sex with a person while they are drunk, stoned or passed out.

Fact: If a person is unconscious or incapable of consenting due to the effects of alcohol or drugs, they cannot legally give consent. Without consent, it is sexual assault.

Myth: If a woman doesn’t report to the police, it wasn’t sexual assault.

Fact: Just because a survivor doesn’t report the assault doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Only about 3 in 10 survivors report their experience of sexual violence to the police [6].

Myth: If a person didn’t cry, scream or fight back, it wasn’t sexual assault.

Fact: Everyone responds differently to trauma – some may cry while others will not show any emotions [7]. When a person is sexually assaulted, they may become paralysed with fear and be unable to fight back. The survivor may be fearful that if they struggle, the perpetrator will become more violent. If the survivor was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they may have been incapacitated or unable to resist.

Myth: If the person is unable to recall details and facts in proper order, they are lying and it didn’t actually happen.

Fact: Shock, fear, embarrassment and distress can all impair memory. Memory loss is a common result of trauma, alcohol and/or drugs. Many survivors also attempt to minimise or forget details of the assault as a way of coping.

Myth: Men do not experience sexual violence.

Fact: Sexual violence does not discriminate by gender and affects both men and women [2]. Gender stereotypes of masculinity and social stigma of having been victimised are key reasons why there is proportionately greater underreporting of sexual violence in men than women [8].

Myth: Getting help is expensive for survivors of assault.

Fact: Services such as counselling and advocacy are offered for free or at a low cost by sexual assault service providers.

Find out more about Getting Help

Myth: There is nothing we can do to prevent sexual violence.

Fact: There are many ways you can help prevent sexual violence including intervening as a bystander to protect someone who may be at risk.

Find out more about Giving Help

References

[1] Groth AN, Burgess AW, Holmstrom LL. Rape: Power, anger, and sexuality. AM J Psychiatry. 1977;134(11):1239-43.

[2] NUS Care Unit 2020 Student Survey on Sexual Misconduct Experiences. National University of Singapore.Groth AN, Burgess AW, Holmstrom LL. Rape: Power, anger, and sexuality. AM J Psychiatry. 1977;134(11):1239-43.

[3] CDC. National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2010 Summary Report.

[4] Ministry of Home Affairs. Commencement of Amendments to the Penal Code and Other Legislation on 1 January 2020 [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Nov 24]. Available from: https://www.mha.gov.sg/newsroom/press-release/news/commencement-of-amendments-to-the-penal-code-and-other-legislation-on-1-january-2020.

[5] Marcus B, Christopher K, Lynn L, Michael P, Hope S-M. Female Victims of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010. 2013 Mar.

[6] Teng A. Number of reported rape cases up 75% in past five years, Courts & Crime News & Top Stories – The Straits Times [Internet]. The Straits Times. 2020 [cited 2020 Nov 1]. Available from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/number-of-reported-rape-cases-up-75-in-past-five-years.

[7] Fanflik P. Victim Responses to Sexual Assault: Counterintuitive or Simply Adaptive? 2007 Aug.

[8] Stemple L, Meyer IH. The sexual victimization of men in America: New data challenge old assumptions. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(6):e19.

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