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Scott SARC debunks sexual assault myths

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and base officials aim to raise awareness and promote the prevention of violence through education and special events.

There are several myths surrounding sexual assault, and Pamela Dorsey, 375th Air Mobility Wing sexual assault response coordinator, addressed the truth behind these myths.

-Myth: Rape is only committed by strangers or crazed psychopaths who don't know their victims.

"Only about 30 percent of all rapes are classified as 'stranger' rape," Dorsey said. "Since the majority of incidents are not committed by a stranger but someone the victim knows, the deviant behavior can be attributed to the influence of drugs or alcohol, and not necessarily a personality disorder."

Myth: If someone does not struggle or resist, a sexual assault did not occur.

"When a victim feels their safety is being threatened, they respond by disassociating with the incident," Dorsey said. "This gives the appearance of consensual activity, when the victim has actually mentally and emotionally removed himself or herself from it."
Myth: Sexual assault is an impulsive act.

"Sexual assaults are premeditated," the SARC said. "Most offenders have a plan, like planning an evening of binge drinking in hopes of meeting up with someone to have sex."

Myth: Men who rape other men are homosexual.

"Rape for men or women is not about sex--it's about power and control," said Dorsey. "Statistics show that most men who assault other men are heterosexual."

Myth: Sexual assaults occur in dark alleys or isolated parking lots.

"Most rapes are perpetrated by someone the victim knows including friends, family, partner," Dorsey said. "Therefore, most sexual assaults occur in the victim's home or apartment--places the victim is familiar with."

Myth: Most rapes are reported.

"Unfortunately, this is not true," Dorsey said. "An anonymous study conducted in the military reflected that only 20 percent of rapes were reported."

Michael Donley, Secretary of the Air Force, said that sexual assault is incompatible with Air Force core values.

"Sexual assault is a crime and is categorically unacceptable," he said. "It is harmful to our people, and it makes us a less effective fighting force. We need to crack down on this harder than ever to get this out of our culture."