Rape Victims

Myths and Facts about rape:


1.You are safe at work.
Fact: Over 13,000 women are raped on the job each year in the United States
2. Rape doesn't happen very often.
Fact: Every 6 minutes another person is raped in the United States.


3. Rape is just "no big deal".
Fact: Rape has a devastating effect on it's victims.
Nearly one-third of all rape victims will have rape-related PTSD.


4.Real rapes are only committed by strangers.
Fact: As many as 4/5 of the victims will know their attacker.


5.Women who are raped are just asking for trouble.
Fact: No one, ever, deserves to be raped. Victims cannot suffer the blame for the actions
another person uses against them.

6. Unless a weapon is used it isn't rape.
Fact: Anytime someone uses force with intercourse it is rape. The force may include weapons,
intimidation, drugs, alcohol, or a victim's own diminished mental capacity.

7. If he bought dinner she "owes" him sex.
Fact: No one "owes" sex for anything.

8. If a woman doesn't fight against her attack it isn't really rape.
Fact: Any sex act forced against another person is rape. It doesn't matter if the victim was able to
fight back or not.

9. If the victim isn't a virgin then it wasn't really rape.
Fact: Even if the victim is not a virgin and forced to have sex against that person's
wishes then it is rape.

10. Husbands can't rape their wives. It's her duty.
Fact: As many as 14% of women who have been married have also been victims of rape by their husbands.


11. Women cry rape because they had sex and changed their minds.
Fact: Rape is the most underreported crime in the country. Only 16% are ever reported to the police.

12. If it is really rape then the victim will report it immediately.
Fact: Responses collected from the National Women's Study show 84% of rape victims never reported the crime at all.


13. She really wanted to have sex so it was ok to get rough.
Fact: We all have the right to say no, to change our minds, or decide not to have sex.
It doesn't matter what activity proceeded the "no".

14. Rape only happens to women.
Fact: Men, and children are also victims of rape.


15. Rape only happens to women who are on the streets late at night.
Fact: Rape happens everywhere. It happens on the job, in our homes, in parking lots and at school.

16. I don't know anyone who's ever been raped.
Fact: Rape victims are doctors, teachers, nurses, pastor's wives, checkout clerks,
accountants, engineers or anyone. Most people know someone who has been raped.
You may just not know who it is.

AARDVARC is An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection.
[Only admins are allowed to see this link]

This site is for victims of violence, their families and friends, and the agencies and programs which serve them, both public and private. Issues addressed here currently include: domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. The child abuse and adult survivors of child sexual assault sections are currently being re-built and should be back online shortly.

The goal of this website is to assist efforts to aid and support those trying to remove themselves from abusive situations and build healthier, stronger lives. For individuals, we hope to provide general educational and reference material as well as a comprehensive nationwide directory of services for "one stop shopping".

For agencies, programs, and other service providers, we hope to provide a bank of information and resources to help cut costs, increase effectiveness, train staff and volunteers, seek funding, build or improve a website, and network with peers for maximum problem-solving impact.

The National Center for Victims of Crime works to make sure all crime victims get the assistance and information they need. We are committed to doing our best to help you.

Our GetHelp bulletins provide information on a wide range of topics, including the impact of crime, victims' rights, and the criminal and civil justice processes. The bulletins also include resources for victims, their families, and friends.

Contact us for help, information about your options, and referrals to local services anywhere in the country. You can:

• call us Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 8:30 pm ET at
1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255) or our TTY line, 1-800-211-7996

• e-mail us (Due to the large volume of e-mails we receive, we recommend calling our toll-free Helpline for immediate assistance Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., ET, at 1-800-FYI-CALL) or

• write us at: Victim Services
National Center for Victims of Crime
2000 M Street, NW
Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036

[Only admins are allowed to see this link]

Violence Against Women


The National Center for Victims of Crime is dedicated to helping women who have been victimized by crime--and those who support them --find the resources needed to rebuild lives.




Get Help Series

Domestic Violence Stalking
Domestic Violence: Safety Planning for Victims Stalking Incident and Behavior Log
Stalking Incident and Behavior Log Stalking and the Law
Rape-related PTSD Stalking Questions & Answers
Sexual Assault Sexual Assault Legislation
Dating Violence More help for teens


More Resources

Help for Victims
Contact us either by email or by calling our Helpline, 1-800-FYI-CALL. We'll connect you with helpful services in your area from our database of more than 8,000 victim service providers nationwide.

Special Collection on Violence Against Women
Comprised of a more than 1,000 resources from our Web site. Plus search thousands of additional VAW resources on the Web.

Resource Library
Full-text publications, current statistics with references, and a list of recommended readings. More Helpful Links for victims.

Public Policy
The National Center for Victims of Crime works to advance laws and policies that create resources and secure rights and protections for victims of crime at the state and federal levels.

Civil Justice Database
Learn more about the civil justice system and how it can help crime victims rebuild their lives, via the 11,000 case studies available in our fully searchable database .

Stalking Information Clearinghouse
A searchable database of more than 400 resources including research on stalking, practitioner-specific educational tools, multidisciplinary curricula, model protocols, and more.
Annual Observances