| Myth |
"People are raped by strangers in dark alleys."
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FACT
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More than 50% of all rapes are committed by friends, relatives or acquaintances of the survivor.
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Myth
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"Women provoke rape by the way they look, dress and act. Only young, sexy women get raped."
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FACT
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Rape is a crime of violence. Women don't provoke rape. Studies show that the way a woman looks, dresses, or acts does not cause rape.
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Myth
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"Pregnant women do not get battered."
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FACT
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Pregnant women are at an especially high risk of abuse. It is estimated that more than 1/3 of pregnant women are abused. Physical abuse often begins and/or escalates during pregnancy.
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Myth
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"The victim in an abusive relationship could leave if they really wanted to do so."
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FACT
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There are many complicated reasons why it is difficult to leave an abusive relationship. Abuse is about power and control. There are many ways in which an abuser can have power over their partner - through finances, children, religion, family, to name a few. Most importantly, leaving may be the most dangerous option.
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Myth
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"If the rapist didn't have a weapon, then it wasn't really rape."
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FACT
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Rapists use physical violence, weapons or threats. People 'comply' in order to escape death or serious injury. Sex is consensual between two people. Rape is when someone does not consent.
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