Sexual violence is based on a continuum with sexist language and harassment on one end and rape and murder on the other. Sexual violence may include the use of physical force, or threat, but often the violence used is intimidation, persuasiveness, or manipulation
Ask yourself whether your partner has done any of these things to you:
told anti-woman jokes or made demeaning remarks about women
treated women as sex objects
been jealously angry, assuming you would have sex with any available man
insisted you dress in a more sexual way than you wanted
minimized the importance of your feelings about sex
criticized you sexually
insisted on unwanted or uncomfortable touching
withheld sex and affection
forced you to strip when you didn't want to
called you sexual names like "whore" or "frigid"
publicly showed sexual interest in other women
had affairs with other women after agreeing to a monogamous relationship
forced sex with him or others or forced you to watch others
forced sex after beatings
forced sex when you were sick or it was a danger to your health
forced sex for the purpose of hurting you with objects or weapons
committed sadistic sexual act
You might give in to your partner's wish because you truly want to, and you know he'll do the same for you. But if you give in because you're afraid to, or because you know he'll keep at you until he wears you down, it will be an important step to admit that he's really forcing you.
Myths and Facts of Sexual Assault
Myth: Sexual assault is most often committed by strangers.
Fact: Women face the greatest risk of sexual assault from men they know, not strangers.
Myth: Women who are sexually assaulted "ask for it" by the way they dress or act.
Fact: Victims of sexual assault report a wide range of dress and actions at the time of the assault. Any woman of any age and physical type, in almost any situation, can be sexually assaulted.
Myth: Unless she is physically harmed, a sexual assault victim will not suffer any long-term effects.
Fact: Women who have been sexually assaulted feel anger and fear, and can become more cautious and less trusting.
Myth: Women frequently cry "rape," i.e., there is a high rate of false reporting.
Fact: Studies show that only 2% of rape calls are false reports. This is the same false report rate that is the usual for other kinds of felonies.
|
|
