The Lies About Rape that We Still Believe
A guide through rape myths, and what too many people still falsely believe.
The ultimate effect of rape upon the womanโs mental and emotional health has been accomplished even without the act. For to accept a special burden of self-protection is to reinforce the concept that women must live and move about in fear and can never expect to achieve the personal freedom, independence, and self-assurance of men
โ Susan Brownmiller
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Rape myths are attitudes and beliefs about rape that are widely and persistently held by individuals within a given cultural context. Early definitions described rape myths as โprejudicial, stereotyped, or false beliefs about rape, rape victims, and rapistsโ that may โdeny or reduce perceived injury or to blame the victims for their own victimizationโ1.
For ease of readability, I use he (rapist) and she (victim) pronouns because that fits the profile of the majority of rapists and victims. It does not, however, fit the profile of every rapist-victim, eg., non-binary and trans people are at higher risk of rape (but make up a smaller percentage of the population). That men cannot be raped, or are homosexual if they are rape myths also; one out of thirteen2 men have been raped or been victim to attempted rape.