MYTH: Most rapes happen on the street.
FACT: Approximately half of all reported rapes occur either in the victim's home, or the home of the attacker.

MYTH: Rapists tend to assault people of a different race than their own.
FACT: About 93% of all rapes are committed by men against women of the same race or ethic group.

MYTH: Rape is an impulsive sexual act.
FACT: 75% of all rapes are planned. Rapists report their motives are violence and power, not sex.

MYTH: Victims provoke rape by their dress and behavior.
FACT: Victims range from babies of a few weeks to women over 90.

MYTH: Women secretly enjoy rape.<
FACT: Rape is a violent crime, and in nearly 90% of reported rapes, a gun, knife or physical force is used. This myth is akin to saying people like being in automobile accidents.

MYTH: Most rapes are reported by women who "changed their minds" afterward or who want to "get even" with a man.
FACT: F.B.I. statistics show that only 4 to 5% of reported rapes are suspected to be false. This corresponds with false reports for other violent crimes.

MYTH: Rapists are crazy, deranged men.
FACT: Most rapists are married men with families. They come from all educational, occupational, economic, racial and cultural backgrounds. They do not differ from normal populations on personality scores. Plus, offenders are not just men, more research is being done on female offenders.

MYTH: Rape will never happen to me.

FACT: If you are a female, there is a 1 in 3 chance you will be a victim of sexual assault sometime in your life. If you are male, there is a 1 in 5 chance.