Sexual assault is a serious, pervasive crime in our community. The deeply wounding effects of sexual assault ripple through our society, taking a toll on physical and mental health and family life, and affecting an inner sense of self.

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault is any unwanted act of a sexual nature imposed by one or more persons upon another, including rape and unwanted touching.

Sexual assault is an act of violence and control.

Sexual assault is a common occurrence. Conservative statistics document that 1 in 2 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually assaulted at some time in their lives.

Most sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows. Many victims are assaulted in their own homes by their partners, family members, friends and/or acquaintances.

No one ever asks to be raped.  Age, appearance, social standing and marital status are not barriers to being assaulted.

How a person is dressed, where a person goes, what a person does, etc. are not reasons to be sexually assaulted.
Victims are not to blame. Verbal threats or intimidation may cause the victim to submit. Victims are often afraid of being killed or hurt. The abuser is responsible.

“The victim is never to blame for a sexual act.”

Ask yourself:

• Are you a male/female survivor of sexual assault/abuse - 16 years of age or older?
• Have you ever asked yourself "why me?" or "am I to blame?"
• Felt scared or angry and didn't know why?
• Experienced low self-esteem, anxiety or flashbacks?
• If you answered yes to these questions or have any other issues in relation to your sexual assault or past sexual abuse the Sexual Assault Centre may be able to help you.

“Believe the Survivor.”

Myths and Facts About Sexual Assault

Myth: The way women dress or behave can be the reason for the sexual assault.
Fact: Age, appearance, social standing and marital status are not barriers to being assaulted.

Myth: Sexual assault only happens at the hands of a stranger in a dark alley.
Facts:

• In approximately 69% of cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim.
• Most victims are sexually assaulted in their own homes.
• Many women are raped by their husbands.  Marital rape was not included in Canada's Criminal Code until 1983.
• Many teenage girls are sexually assaulted on dates.
• Many children have sexual acts forced upon them by trusted family members.
This includes cousins, uncles, stepfathers, brothers and fathers etc... and occasionally mothers and sisters, etc.  This is called incest.  Many women and men do not remember their experiences of child sexual abuse until many years later.

Myth: The rapist is motivated by sexual desire.
Facts:

• Sexual assault is a crime of violence not a crime of passion.
• The attacker acts out of a need to have control over someone.
• Assaults are usually planned.
• Men can control their sexual impulses.
• Some men hear a clearly spoken "no" as an invitation to use force.

Myth: Victims should or could have done something to prevent a sexual assault and believe that they are to blame.
Fact: Victims are not to blame.  Verbal threats or intimidation may cause the victim to submit. Victims are often afraid of being killed or seriously injured.

“Sexual assault is a crime.”