April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Central Australia Health Service’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) believes it is an appropriate time to look at the myths and facts related to sexual assault.

“We need to be outspoken and courageous, support our brothers and sisters who have experienced sexual violence by ‘Breaking the Silence’ surrounding sexual assault,” said Dr. Jennifer Delima, Director, Addiction and Clinical Forensic Medicine at the Alice Springs Hospital.

The theme for Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2016 is Prevention is Possible.

“There are many myths that serve to keep us silent and fearful when the facts show us clearly that there is no need to suffer in silence and, further, that we can together make prevention possible,” Dr. Delima said.

“Most importantly sexual assault is an act of power and control to humiliate and denigrate the victim.

“It is a violent crime carried out through a sexual action and is not the result of sexual urge.”

There are many stories told about sexual assault that stop people from seeking help and following are some of the real facts about sexual assault:

• All rapists are strangers – WRONG! Most sexual assaults are by known perpetrators, with more than 70 per cent of offenders known closely to the victim. Less than one per cent of sexual assaults are by strangers.
• Sexual assault only happens to women – WRONG! Although the majority of victims are women, children also suffer sexual abuse and assault and 1 in 20 reported incidents are of boys and men who suffer sexual assault.
• Men can’t be ‘raped’ – WRONG! Any man can be sexually assaulted regardless of size, strength, appearance, age, occupation, race or sexual identity.
• Victims enjoy being ‘raped’ – WRONG! The victim has no control over how their body responds to a sexual assault. It is a frightening and humiliating experience.
• Women ask to be ‘raped’ by the way they dress or act – WRONG! The way a person dresses or behaves does not provide justification for physically or sexually assaulting another.
• Victims who do not fight back or scream wanted the sexual activity – WRONG!  Inability to fight back or scream or ‘say no’ does not reflect consent. Often the person is too frightened or emotionally silenced by the violence of the assault that they cannot react more forcefully.
• It is a man’s right to have sex with his wife whenever he wants – WRONG! The act of sex must be with equal and respectful consent of both people.
• Child sexual assault only occurs in poor families and impoverished communities – WRONG! Child sexual assault happens across the whole community regardless of poverty, income, education, religion, culture, etc.
• Men are the only perpetrators of sexual assault – WRONG! Although the majority of perpetrators of sexual assault are men, women are also known to violate through sexual assault. 

“Let us take civil courage, stand strongly and speak out loudly together to break the silence and make possible the prevention of sexual assault in our community,” Dr. Delima said.

The Central Australia Health Service is governed by a Statutory Board and is responsible for the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek Hospitals.  It has a primary role in health service delivery in the region, including primary health care, mental health, oral health, cancer screening services and alcohol and other drug services.

Media Contact: Gail Liston 8951 5111 or 0476 839 383