Myths & Facts

Myth: Guys cannot be sexually assaulted.
Fact: Both guys and girls can be sexually assaulted. 1 in 20 men and 1 in 5 women in Australia over the age of 15 years have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Personal safety survey (Reissue), Canberra)
Myth: Girls provoke sexual assault by the way they dress or act.
Fact: No person provokes or asks for sexual assault. Girls dress and/or flirt to feel attractive. Perpetrators are responsible for their own actions.
Myth: Girls enjoy being sexually assaulted.
Fact: Any form of sexual violence is frightening and humiliating and no-one enjoys an experience like that.
Myth: Most sexual assaults occur at night time in dark alleys.
Fact: Many sexual assaults occur in the daytime and in the home of the victim.
Myth: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.
Fact: Most sexual assaults (80%) are committed by a person known to the victim.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Personal safety survey (Reissue), Canberra)
Myth: Guys cannot be sexually assaulted because they can defend themselves.
Fact: Many people (guys and girls) who are sexually assaulted are so traumatised by a sexual assault that they freeze and may be unable to react. This is a biological function and is not something that a person has control over.
Myth: Having an unwanted sexual act which the person did not consent to is OK if it's with your girlfriend/boyfriend.
Fact: Having an unwanted sexual act with your girlfriend/boyfriend without consent is still sexual assault and therefore against the law.
Myth: A guy cannot be sexually assaulted by a girl.
Fact: Although males are usually sexually assaulted by another male, some are assaulted by females.
Myth: Someone who has been drinking or taking drugs is asking to be sexually assaulted
Fact: Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can prevent you from giving consent to sexual acts with another person. It is a crime to have sex with a person who cannot give consent due to being underage, intoxicated, unconscious, asleep or that has a decision-making disability.
Myth: Guys only sexually assault others because they are frustrated or they cannot control themselves.
Fact: Some sexual assaults are well planned in advance and do not involve a loss of control on the perpetrator's part.
Myth: Sexual assaults from drink 'spiking' are due to the use of the drug Rohypnol.
Fact: Most sexual assaults involving drink 'spiking' are due to additional amounts of alcohol, not the use of Rohypnol.
Myth: If someone agrees to kissing and fondling, that is the same as agreeing to “going all the way”.
Fact: All people have the right to determine what sexual acts they are comfortable with and can choose to change their minds at any time.
Myth: "No" can sometimes mean "yes" – women sometimes play 'hard to get'.
Fact: No means NO.
Myth: If you buy someone dinner and drinks then it is OK to expect that they will/should have sex with you.
Fact: Just because you are buying something for someone does not entitle you to have sex with them. Sex without real consent is a sexual assault and therefore against the law.
Myth: Guys who are sexually assaulted are, or will, become homosexual.
Fact: Sexual orientation is not affected or influenced by sexual assault.
Myth: Males who sexually assault other males are homosexual.
Fact: Most males who sexually assault other males actually describe themselves as heterosexual and are often in a relationship with a female at the time.
Myth: If someone says yes to a sexual act but changes their mind during the act it is OK to continue.
Fact: Consent can be given and taken away at any time. If someone says no to something, stop.
Myth: It is OK to have sex with your regular partner while they are asleep.
Fact: Someone who is asleep cannot give legal consent. Sex without consent is sexual assault.
Myth: Using the 'pill' is a form of safe sex.
Fact: Use of the ‘pill’ reduces the chances of getting pregnant but it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The best products for safer sex are condoms which can reduce pregnancy and contracting STIs.
Myth: It is OK to prevent or stop your partner from talking to any other girls or guys.
Fact: A respectful relationship should be free from power and control imbalances and instead nurture trust and respect.
Myth: Is it really sexual assault if someone does not scream or fight and does not have any injuries?
Fact: Most people don’t scream or fight, despite what you see on TV. They may not have screamed or fought during the sexual assault because they were frozen with fear. This is a common reaction for many sexual assault victims.

Respect & Sexting

 

There is no such thing as safe sexting. 

 

Respect & sexting

 

Sexting is sending sexually explicit and provocative messages, photos or videos via a mobile phone. Although it may seem like harmless flirting or fun to send a sexy photo of yourself to someone, sexting can have some serious social and legal consequences.

 

The consequences of sexting

 

Sexting can lead to being publicly embarrassed and humiliated in front of friends, groups, the entire school, or even the world. It can lead to harassment and bullying. It can even lead to sexual assault and some serious legal consequences. It is important to think about the consequences of sexting as they may be more serious than you first thought.

 

Going public

 

Once sent, messages, photos and videos can spread really rapidly to many people. That means that something you meant for only one person to see can very quickly be seen by a whole lot of people you wouldn’t want to see it. This can cause a lot of embarrassment and humiliation.

Sexting can also lead to bullying or harassment. For example, it is possible for someone to threaten you to go public with the photos that you sent them. If the photos or videos fall into the wrong hands sexting can even lead to sexual assault.

It’s forever

Photos or videos sent by mobile phone can easily be sent on to other people, fall into the wrong hands and even be posted on the internet in an instant and end up ‘going viral’.

And remember that these images once posted on the internet may last forever and may be seen by your future employers, partners or even your own children.

 

It may be illegal

It is illegal to take sexual photos or videos of people under the age of 18. It is also a criminal offence to receive them, pass them on or possess them. You can be charged with a criminal offence if you forward the photo or video, even if you then delete it from your own phone. You can be criminally charged even if the photo or video you sent is of yourself. Sexual photos or videos of people under the age of 18 is child pornography. This is true even if everyone involved in the photo or video is willing.

 

Here’s some tips

 

  • Think before you act – remember the consequences of taking or sending sexual photos or videos
  • If you get sexual photos or videos of someone else sent to you, don’t send them on, tell a trusted adult or teacher who can then advise if this needs to be reported to the Police. Deleting the images could mean you are deleting evidence so ask someone you trust what to do next.
  • And remember the feelings of others – if you do receive messages, images or videos of someone else, think how you would feel if it was you
  • Say no if someone asks you to take a photo or pass on a photo that you don’t feel comfortable with. Don’t be embarrassed to talk with a trusted adult if this happens
  • If you have taken or sent a photo or video that you regret, you can ask the person you sent it to to delete it. If this doesn’t work you can always talk about it with an adult you trust.
  • If you receive anything that you know is inappropriate, you should report it immediately to an adult, a teacher or the Police.

 

If you need more information you can jump online and go to www.theline.gov.au

 

Information taken from: theline.gov.au; sexting brochure, ACMA; love: the good, the bad and the ugly; NSW Government Sexting Fact Sheet; Kids helpline; Netsmartz.org.