Sexual assault: Fact versus fiction Published Aug. 3, 2006 By Lisa Terry McKeown 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Sexual assault can be found in the news, on television programs or in a current movie almost every day. Most hope it doesn't happen to them or to anyone they know, but the truth is sexual assault can happen to anyone no matter what their cultural background, economic status or age. The Center for Disease Control says rape is one of the most underreported crimes in the country. In 2002, only 39 percent of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement officials. One in six women and one in thirty-three men reported experiencing an attempted or completed rape at some time in their lives. Rape usually occurs more than once to an individual. "The reality is that it can happen to anyone," said 1st Lt. Michel Edwards, Pope's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "People need to try to make the best decisions for them at the right time to keep themselves out of harms way." Some ideas for staying out of harms way include: -- Watch your drinks when you go out -- Stay in pairs -- Know your drinking limit -- Be a good Wingman "It's important that people know the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office is here to help whether they want to initiate a full-blown investigation or prefer no one knows and start a restricted report," said Lieutenant Michel. "The bottom-line is we want to get the victim the help they need and deserve." The attention the media gives instances of sexual assault or the way it is depicted on television sometimes perpetuates damaging myths that are prevalent in our culture. To avoid any confusion, here are some of the most common myths along with the truth as provided by the North Carolina Rape Crisis Center. Myth: Sexual abuse can be justified under certain circumstances. Fact: Sexual abuse is never justified. Under no circumstance does anyone have the right to abuse some one sexually. Myth: Most rapes involve a perpetrator who is a stranger to the victim. Fact: In more than 60 percent of all rapes, the perpetrator and the victim are, in some way, acquainted with one another. Myth: It isn't sexual abuse if the victim is intoxicated, unconscious, dressed provocatively or if the perpetrator has been invited into the victim's home. Fact: If the victim is unwilling to have sex and is forced or coerced into having sex, it is rape. Consent by both parties must be present for it to be a mutual sexual encounter. If the victim is intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs, or is mentally handicapped he or she is, by law, unable or incapable of providing consent. Myth: Rape is about sex. Fact: Sex is the weapon used in a crime of pure violence. Myth: Sexual abuse is always violent. Fact: Sexual abuse in itself is a violent crime, but it does not necessarily have to be inflicted violently. Many perpetrators do not use a weapon, such as a knife or a gun. The perpetrator's body is the weapon that is most often used. The victim may choose to submit to the perpetrator, but this happens because the victim genuinely believes that his or her life is in danger. Submission does not equal consent. Myth: Females cannot be abusers. Fact: Women are quite often the perpetrators in incidents of incest or child sexual abuse, as well as sexual abuse of other adults. Myth: Rape is rare. Fact: Rape is the fastest growing violent crime in the country and less than 15 percent of all rapes are reported to law enforcement. Myth: You cannot be sexually abused if you are married. Fact: Spouses are not excluded from being abused. If your spouse is pressuring you to have sex, and you have made it clear that you do not want to, but you are force to anyway, it is rape. Myth: Sexual abuse cases most often involve a victim who is described as promiscuous or has a bad reputation. Fact: The majority of victims of sex crimes do not have a bad reputation. Many are children, pre-teens and young adults who have never had sexual relations. Myth: If a girl engages in necking or petting and she lets things get out of hand, it is her own fault. Fact: Sexual assault is always perpetrator's fault. Myth: Most rapists are men who have uncontrollable urges or who are psychopaths. Fact: Most rapists are considered well adjusted, not mentally ill, and have a greater tendency than normal to express frustration and rage through violence. Do not expect a rapist to be a "marked man" with particular identifiable characteristics. He may very well be your neighbor, co-worker, or even a family member. Myth: Most rape reports are false. Fact: Less than 2 percent of all reported rapes turn out to be false reports. If you have been sexually assaulted or think you have been, take the following steps: -- Go to a safe location away from the attacker. -- Contact your local sexual assault response coordinator, victim advocate or healthcare provider. -- Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if there are no visible physical injuries, there is a risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. -- Ask the healthcare provider to conduct a sexual assault forensic examination to preserve forensic evidence. -- If you suspect you had been drugged, request that a urine sample be collected. --Preserve all evidence of the assault. Do not bathe, wash your hands or brush your teeth. Do not clean or straighten up the crime scene. -- Write down, tape or record by any other means all the details you can recall about the assault and your assailant. For help or more information, call 394-SARC.