Learn / believe

Myth Busting

There are many myths that exist around Sexual Violence. These are often disguised as ‘facts’ because they are societal held beliefs.

These myths are often one of the reasons why survivors choose to not disclose, in fear of not being believed, in fear of being blamed or fear of the perpetrator’s actions being defended.

These are some of many myths that exist in society. All of these myths attempt to excuse the behaviour of perpetrators and imply they are not responsible for their actions.

  • Myth: Rape can be an act of lust and passion.
  • Fact: Rape is about power and control and is not motivated by sexual gratification.
  • Myth: If she brought him back to the hotel room, she had intention so it’s not his fault?
  • Fact: At any point consent can be withdrawn, even during sexual intercourse.
  • Myth: If a victim of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they wanted it.
  • Fact: Many survivors experience tonic immobility, often known as a ‘freeze’ response during an assault where they physically cannot move or speak. You can be 5th Dan at Karate and freeze.
  • Myth: A lot of victims lie about being raped or give false reports.
  • Fact: Only 2-6% of rapes are falsely reported, the same percentage for any other crime.
  • Myth: A person cannot rape their partner or spouse.
  • Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • Myth:  Sexual Violence doesn’t happen by people you know.
  • 90% Of perpetrators are people we know.

Blog

UK Says No More urges victims to make use of Safe Spaces as incidents are expected to rise during Euros.

UK Says No More has joined together with high street banks and pharmacies to urge anyone at risk to access support via designated Safe Spaces found on high streets across the UK.

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NatWest marks ‘No More Week’ by opening Safe Spaces for economic and domestic abuse victims

6 March 2024 NatWest Group is announcing that starting this week it will offer Safe Spaces to people experiencing economic and domestic abuse in over 360 branches across the UK including NatWest, Ulster Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland branches.  Safe Spaces, part of Hestia’s UK Says No More campaign, are designated locations which anyone ...

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Nationwide – the UK’s biggest branch network – joins Hestia’s Safe Spaces

Nationwide – the largest branch network of any UK banking brand -– will offer Hestia’s Safe Spaces scheme to people experiencing domestic abuse across more than 400 branches across the UK. A recent poll by Nationwide shows almost half (48%) the population have experienced, or know someone who has experienced domestic abuse, with almost one ...

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