Domestic Violence is rare

False. Domestic violence affects 1 out of 4 women at some point during their lifetime. Men can also be victims of domestic violence. 

The victim must have done something to cause the abuse

False. No one asks or deserves to be abused. Violent behavior is a choice made by the abuser.

Victims of abuse are mostly uneducated, poor women

False. Abuse can occur to anyone regardless of age, gender or gender identity, race, religion, socio-economic status, or sexual orientation.

You can always tell who a person who uses abuse is

False. Persons who choose to use abuse with family or household members come from all walks of life regardless of age, gender, race, religion, socio-economic status, or sexual orientation. They are not always abusive. In fact, they can be very generous with their affections and in other relationships.

Abusers are out of control

False. The actions of persons who choose abuse are very deliberate. They use violence to gain and maintain power and control.

Victims must like to be abused or they would leave the relationship

False. Victims do not like to be abused. There are many reasons why a person may remain in an abusive relationship, including: fear, love, money, children, and religion. On average, a woman leaves an abusive relationship 7 times before ending the relationship.

Alcohol and drug use can cause domestic violence

False. Substance use may be a factor in an abusive relationship, but not the underlying cause. Sometimes, the abuser may attempt to use substance use as an excuse for violent behavior. Sometimes survivors use substances as a way to cope. 
Domestic violence and substance use are two separate issues and need to be addressed as such.

Sexual assault is a crime of passion and lust

False. Sexual assault is a crime of violence. Assailants seek to dominate, humiliate, and punish their victims.

Women often falsely report sexual assault

False. Research shows that at least 92 – 98 percent of all sexual assault reports are true. In other words, no more than 2 – 8 percent of all sexual assault reports are false. This is the same rate of false reporting as for all other major crimes.

People close to a child should know that sexual abuse is happening

False. Sexual assault occurs because the offender works hard to keep it a secret. His grooming of a child extends to others in the child’s network to ensure that people don’t suspect the abuse.

If children stay away from strangers, they will not be sexually abused

False. National statistics indicate that in approximately 85% of the cases, the offender is known to the victim. They are usually a relative, family member, family friend, baby-sitter or older friend of the child.

A person who has been drinking alcohol, using drugs or dancing seductively is asking to be raped