Durham Rape Crisis Centre

 

The Durham Rape Crisis Centre is a feminist organization that believes in the equality of all people regardless of race, class, sexual orientation or gender.

We are committed to taking an active role in our community to end all forms of violence against women and children.

As a Rape Crisis Centre we work with and provide support services to recent as well as historical or childhood survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse and their families.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Durham, May 3rd, 2011 – No one asks for it! On Friday, May 6^th 2011, individuals, agencies and communities across our nation will be wearing purple in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month!

Many myths and misconceptions still exist in the area of Sexual Violence. Victims like those noted below are often wrongly blamed for a crime that continues to plague our society.

In January, a Toronto police officer at a campus safety information session at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, suggested women could avoid sexual assault by not dressing "like sluts”.

In February, a Manitoba judge gave a conditional two year sentence to a man convicted of sexual assault (meaning he would not serve jail time) stating the victim had been wearing a tube top, high heels, a lot of makeup, and that “sex was in the air” the night of the assault.

Sexual violence is far more common than most people think. One in three women in our nation will experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime.[1] Despite the prevalence and impact of this crime, sexual assaults have notoriously low reporting rates; more than 90% of victims do not report their experiences to the police. [2] No doubt, Canadians’ continual exposure to cases in which women are blamed for their own sexual victimization impacts many women’s decision to speak out after experiencing an assault.

Recognizing the need to address the insidious myth that women “ask” to be sexually assaulted, the Ontario government has just launched a Sexual Violence Action Plan entitled Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives with a strong focus on public education.

Society’s understanding of sexual assault can be influenced by misconceptions and false beliefs (commonly referred to as “rape myths”). These myths reinforce that the victim is to blame –as if the way she behaved somehow contributed to the assault. This false belief is exemplified in the common myth that women “are asking for it” by the way they dress, or if they were drinking…

 

These misconceptions and attitudes have serious consequences for the survivor and for society. They take attention away from the fact that

 

 

                                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charitable Organization # 107804825RR0001

Home About DRCC Our Services Childhood Sexual Abuse/Historical Abuse Have I Been Abused/Assaulted? Immediate Assistance Someone I Care About needs Support Information & Definitions Donations Events Getting Involved Student Information