Consent & Boundaries
People can withdraw consent at any time.
FACT -
Discussion: Consent is an ongoing process. Someone can change their mind before or during a sexual encounter.
Victims often freeze during an assault.
FACT
Discussion: Freezing (tonic immobility) is a common survival response and does not indicate consent.
Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.
MYTH
Discussion: Most offenders are known to the victim, often as friends, family members, partners, or acquaintances.
Alcohol removes responsibility from the offender.
MYTH
Discussion: Intoxication does not excuse criminal behavior.
False reports are extremely common.
MYTH
Discussion: Research consistently shows false reporting rates are relatively low.
Someone cannot consent if they are unconscious.
FACT
Discussion: A person who is asleep, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated cannot legally or ethically consent.
Trauma can affect memory.
FACT
Discussion: High stress can disrupt the encoding and recall of memories.
Sexual assault is primarily about power and control.
FACT
Discussion: Sexual violence is less about sexual gratification and more about domination and control.
Alcohol is the most common substance involved in sexual assault cases.
FACT
Discussion: Alcohol is frequently present in sexual assault incidents involving both offenders and victims.
Most sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement.
MYTH
Discussion: Sexual assault remains one of the most underreported crimes.
If someone agreed before, they cannot change their mind later.
MYTH
Discussion: Prior consent does not guarantee future consent. Every sexual encounter requires consent.
People always react emotionally after trauma.
MYTH
Discussion: Survivors may cry, laugh, appear calm, become numb, or show little emotion.
Most offenders "look dangerous."
MYTH
Discussion: Offenders often appear ordinary and may be respected members of the community.
If someone was drinking, they are partly to blame.
MYTH
Discussion: Choosing to drink does not make someone responsible for another person's actions.
Shame and fear are barriers to reporting.
FACT
Discussion: Fear of not being believed, of retaliation, of embarrassment, and of trauma often prevents disclosure.
Marital rape is a crime.
FACT
Discussion: Marriage does not eliminate the requirement for consent. Spouses have the right to refuse sexual activity.
Victims always report immediately.
MYTH
Discussion: Many survivors delay disclosure due to fear, shame, confusion, or safety concerns.
What someone wears can cause sexual assault.
MYTH
Discussion: Responsibility lies solely with the offender, not the victim's clothing or appearance.
Date rape drugs can cause memory loss and incapacitation.
FACT
Discussion: Drugs such as Rohypnol and Ketamine can impair awareness and memory.
Children often delay disclosing abuse.
FACT
Discussion: Children may fear consequences, blame themselves, or be manipulated by offenders.
A person can consent while passed out.
MYTH
Discussion: Consent requires awareness and the ability to make decisions.
There is no single "correct" trauma response.
FACT
Discussion: Every survivor responds differently to traumatic experiences.
If there are no physical injuries, it probably wasn't assault.
MYTH
Discussion: Many survivors have little or no visible injury.
Alcohol can impair a person's ability to provide meaningful consent.
FACT
Discussion: Significant intoxication can prevent someone from understanding or agreeing to sexual activity.
People with disabilities are at increased risk for sexual abuse.
FACT
Discussion: Dependence on caregivers and communication barriers may increase vulnerability.
Consent requires a clear ability to choose freely.
FACT
Discussion: Coercion, intimidation, threats, and incapacitation interfere with meaningful consent.
A victim may continue contact with the offender after an assault.
FACT
Discussion: Fear, manipulation, trauma bonding, shared children, finances, or confusion may contribute.
Victims sometimes blame themselves after an assault.
FACT
Discussion: Self-blame is a common psychological response to trauma.
If both people are intoxicated, consent issues can become complicated.
FACT
Discussion: Impairment can affect judgment, communication, and legal capacity to consent.
Sexual violence affects every demographic.
FACT
Discussion: Sexual violence impacts people of all ages, genders, races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.