The Rapist You Know

Myth

A woman who gets raped usually deserves it, especially if she has agreed to go to a man's house or park with him.

Reality

No one deserves to be raped. Being in a man's house or car does not mean that a woman has agreed to have sex with him.

If a woman agrees to allow a man to pay for dinner, drinks, etc., then it means she owes him sex.

Sex is not an implied payback for dinner or any other expense no matter how much money has been spent.

Acquaintance rape is committed by men who are easy to identify as rapists.

Women are often raped by "normal" acquaintances who resemble "regular guys."

Women who don't fight back haven't been raped.

Rape occurs when one is forced to have sex against their will, whether they have decided to fight back or not.

Intimate kissing or certain kinds of touching mean that intercourse is inevitable.

Everyone's right to say "no" should be honored, regardless of the activity which preceded it.

Once a man reaches a certain point of arousal, sex is inevitable and they can't help forcing themselves upon a woman.

Men are capable of exercising restraint in acting upon sexual urges.

Most women lie about acquaintance rape because they have regrets after consensual sex.

Acquaintance rape really happens  —  to people you know, by people you know.

Women who say "No" really mean "Yes."

This notion is based on rigid and outdated sexual stereotypes.

Certain behaviors such as drinking or dressing in a sexually appealing way make rape a woman's responsibility.

Drinking or dressing in a sexually appealing way are not invitations for sex.