Facts and myths about sexual violence

If you believe you are experiencing or have experienced sexual violence, you can contact the Sexual Violence Helpline by phone at 1-888-933-9007 or by chat at sexualviolencehelpline.ca.

If you suspect that someone you know is or has been a victim of sexual violence, there are many resources available. Visit our Resources page for a complete list of resources.

If you have reason to believe that a minor (under 18) has been or is being sexually abused, you must report it immediately to your local Director of Youth Protection (DYP).

Myths are false beliefs that are held by society. There are many myths about sexual violence, and these can be harmful, spreading misinformation and prejudice about people who are victims or perpetrators of sexual violence. They can contribute to blaming victims, absolving perpetrators of responsibility, and minimizing or trivializing sexual violence.

Distinguishing facts from myths about sexual violence is essential to correcting these false beliefs, which can have significant consequences for society and for people who are victims of sexual violence. Maintaining false beliefs about sexual violence can, for example:  

  • Perpetuate sexist attitudes and behaviours1
  • Increase the risk of committing sexual violence1–4
  • Affect the mental health and well-being of victims, as well as their interpretation of whether or not they have experienced sexual violence5,6
  • Reinforce the fear of people who are victims of not being believed and discourage them from disclosing sexual violence and reporting it to the police7–9
  • Influence the public’s and the justice system’s perception of the credibility of victims8–11

Fact: Sexual violence includes any act of a sexual nature or targeting sexuality (words, writings, behaviours) that is committed against a person without their consent.

It is a myth that sexual violence only includes acts involving physical contact.

Sexual violence can take many forms and vary in severity. It includes sexist or homophobic comments, non-consensual posting of intimate images, non-consensual kissing and touching, and penetrative sexual assault. Sexual violence includes, but is not limited to, acts that meet the legal criteria for sexual assault.

Sexual violence can also take different forms depending on the situation or context in which it is committed. For example:

  • Sexual harassment, often associated with the workplace, which refers to unwanted sexual conduct, which occurs repeatedly (or in a single serious incident).
  • Sexual exploitation, which involves a situation where an individual takes advantage of a person’s vulnerability or dependence, with the aim of using that person’s body for sexual purposes to gain a pecuniary, social, or personal advantage.
  • Reproductive coercion, which refers to behaviours aimed at interfering with or guiding another person’s decisions related to contraception use (e.g., pressuring one’s partner not to use contraception) or reproductive health (e.g., forcing one’s partner to carry a pregnancy to term).

Fact: Sexual violence can be experienced by anyone, at any point in life.

It is a myth that only certain people can be victims of sexual violence.

Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnic or cultural origin, or socio-economic status. Sexual violence can be experienced in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

Find out more about sexual violence statistics.

Women and children, especially girls, are the main victims of sexual violence. In Quebec, in nearly 9 out of 10 cases, the victim of a police-reported sexual assault is a girl or woman.12

Certain population groups are also at greater risk of sexual violence, such as sexually and gender diverse people, Indigenous women, and women with disabilities.

Fact: Sexual violence is most often committed by someone known to the victim in a private setting.

It is a myth that sexual violence is most often committed by a stranger in a public place.

Sexual violence is most often committed by a man known to the victim, such as an immediate or distant relative, an intimate partner or ex-partner, a friend, an acquaintance, or a person in a position of authority known to the victim. In a minority of cases, the perpetrator is a stranger.

Sexual violence most often occurs in a private place, such as a private residence or property. It can also occur in public places, such as a business, an educational institution, on a public road (e.g., sidewalk, street), or on public transportation, although this is less common12.

Fact: Sexual violence is influenced by a variety of factors.

It is a myth that any single factor can explain sexual violence.

Sexual violence is the result of a combination of factors that can influence the risk of committing it or experiencing it. For example, it’s wrong to think that alcohol consumption is the only cause.

Several factors are associated with a greater risk of committing sexual violence, such as endorsing myths about sexual violence, being socially isolated, having problematic alcohol and drug use, having peers who approve of violence in sexual relationships, having experienced family problems, and having experienced violence during childhood13–16.

The presence of one or more factors does not necessarily mean that they will lead to acts of sexual violence, but rather that they increase the likelihood of their occurrence. The majority of people who are sexually abused as children will not commit such violence in adulthood, and conversely, not all people who commit sexual violence have experienced it in the past.

Fact: All forms of sexual violence can have consequences for victims.

It is a myth that only acts of sexual violence that involve physical contact have consequences for victims.

Sexual violence, whatever its form, can have significant short- and long-term consequences for victims. These can have an impact on their health, well-being, interpersonal relationships, socio-economic situation, and society as a whole.

The consequences most often reported in victims of sexual violence include mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviour. Other examples of consequences reported by victims include problematic alcohol and drug use, sexual and relationship issues, and an increased risk of physical health problems (e.g., chronic pain, migraines, insomnia, cardiovascular disease)17–23.

However, it is important to know that some victims of sexual violence in childhood or adolescence will experience few consequences in adulthood. Certain protective factors, such as the support offered by family and friends following the disclosure of sexual violence, can promote recovery and reduce the risk of developing consequences24,25.

Fact: Victims of sexual violence react in different ways.

It is a myth to expect all victims to physically resist and retain a perfect memory of the event.

The reactions of victims of sexual violence are complex and varied, whether during the event (e.g., freezing, submitting to avoid injury, defending oneself, running away) or afterwards (e.g., blaming oneself for what happened, denying or minimizing the violence experienced, showing no apparent emotion after the violence). Several factors can also influence memory and the ability to explain events, such as emotions felt during the event (e.g., fear, shock, distress), individual characteristics, or past experiences of violence8,9.

It is false to believe that all victims of sexual violence will necessarily physically resist the assault, communicate their non-consent explicitly and verbally, and have perfect, chronological memories of the events experienced. These false beliefs can affect the way in which victims are treated and believed by the general public or by members of the justice system, which can re-traumatize them and have adverse effects on their well-being8,9. 

Fact: Consent to sexual activity can be withdrawn at any time.

It is a myth that someone who has already consented to a sexual activity is necessarily consenting for the duration of the sexual activity and to future sexual activity.

A person can withdraw consent to a sexual activity at any time during the activity. Consenting to sexual activity once does not automatically mean consenting to future sexual activity, even within a couple. 

Sexual consent is a voluntary, clear, and enthusiastic agreement to engage in sexual activity. It must be free and informed, and not given under threat or manipulation. Consent can be expressed through words or behaviours. 

In certain circumstances, consent is not valid if:

  • The person is unable to express it (unconscious, intoxicated).
  • The person is pressured to engage in the activity through an abuse of trust, authority, or power or through the use of threats, force, or fraud.
  • Consent is given by a person other than the one participating in the sexual activity.
  • Consent is given by a person under the age of 16* or in a situation of dependency (e.g., a person with an intellectual disability who depends on another person to meet their needs).

*In Canada, 12- to 15-year-olds can generally consent to sexual acts if their partner is around the same age.

Fact: Responsibility for sexual violence always lies with the perpetrator.

It is a myth that some victims are responsible for the sexual violence they’ve experienced, for example, because of the way they behave or the way they dress.

The person who commits sexual violence is the only person responsible for their actions. It is never the victim’s fault.

Dressing in a certain way, going out at night, wanting to develop a relationship with another person, or consuming alcohol or drugs should not be used to blame the victim for what they have suffered.  

Several studies have shown that people who had consumed alcohol at the time of experiencing sexual violence are more likely to blame themselves for what they experienced and are also more likely to be blamed by the police. Conversely, perpetrators who consumed alcohol are often not held accountable for their actions11,26,27. Alcohol or drug use may increase the risk of committing and experiencing sexual violence, but it is only one factor among others and should not be used to blame the victim or justify the violence.

Fact: False reports of sexual violence are rare.

It is a myth that a large proportion of victims make false allegations of sexual violence.

The prevalence of false reports of sexual assault to the police is low, at around 5%28. It is false to believe that a large proportion of people make false allegations of sexual violence to attract attention or to take revenge on someone. This false belief can have consequences for victims, such as discrediting their word and discouraging them from reporting what they have experienced to the police, out of fear of not being believed.

Being believed and receiving emotional support after disclosing sexual violence can help the victim’s recovery. These reactions can, for example, reduce the risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression linked to sexual violence. Conversely, not feeling believed or being blamed for the experience can worsen these symptoms and hinder recovery18,25,29.

Among children, intentionally fabricated stories of sexual abuse are rare. The number of children who make false allegations is lower than the number of children who do not disclose abuse or deny having been sexually abused30.

Références

  1. Suarez, E., et T. M. Gadalla (2010). « Stop Blaming the Victim: A Meta-Analysis on Rape Myths », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, [en ligne], vol. 25, n° 11, p. 2010‑2035, <https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260509354503&gt; (consulté le 18 février 2025).
  2. Trottier, D., M. Benbouriche et V. Bonneville (2019). « A meta-analysis on the association between rape myth acceptance and sexual coercion perpetration », Journal of Sex Research, vol. 58, n° 3, p. 375‑382.
  3. Yapp, E. J., et E. Quayle (2018). « A systematic review of the association between rape myth acceptance and male-on-female sexual violence », Aggression and Violent Behavior, vol. 41, p. 1‑19.
  4. O’Connor, J. (2021). « The Longitudinal Effects of Rape Myth Beliefs and Rape Proclivity », Psychology of men & masculinity, [en ligne], vol. 22, n° 2, p. 321‑330, <https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000324&gt; (consulté le 8 octobre 2024).
  5. Anderson, G. D., et R. Overby (2021). « The Impact of Rape Myths and Current Events on the Well-Being of Sexual Violence Survivors », Violence Against Women, vol. 27, n° 9, p. 1379‑1401.
  6. Rousseau, C., M. Bergeron et S. Ricci (2020). « A metasynthesis of qualitative studies on girls’ and women’s labeling of sexual violence », Aggression and Violent Behavior Vol 52 2020, ArtID 101395, vol. 52.
  7. Info-aide violence sexuelle (2023). « Mythes, préjugés et vérités », dans Info-aide violence sexuelle, [en ligne], <https://infoaideviolencesexuelle.ca/comprendre/mythes-prejuges-et-verit…; (consulté le 3 octobre 2024).
  8. Corte, E., et J. Desrosiers (2021). Rebâtir la confiance : Rapport du comité d’experts sur l’accompagnement des victimes d’agressions sexuelles et de violence conjugale, [en ligne], Gouvernement du Québec, <https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/org/SCF/publications/viol…; (consulté le 23 octobre 2024).
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  13. Assink, M., C. E. van der Put, M. W. Meeuwsen, N. M. de Jong, F. J. Oort, G. J. J. Stams et M. Hoeve (2019). « Risk factors for child sexual abuse victimization: A meta-analytic review », Psychological Bulletin, vol. 145, n° 5, p. 459‑489.
  14. LeSuer, W. (2022). « The Impact of National-Level Gender Inequality on the Sexual Abuse of Girls », Violence against women, vol. 28, n° 3‑4, p. 691‑710.
  15. Organisation mondiale de la Santé (2012). Prévenir la violence exercée par des partenaires intimes et la violence sexuelle contre les femmes : Intervenir et produire des données, [en ligne], Genève, Organisation mondiale de la Santé, <https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/75201&gt; (consulté le 5 décembre 2024).
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  19. Serrano-Rodriguez, E., V. Luque-Ribelles et V. Hervias-Parejo (2025). « Psychosocial Consequences of Sexual Assault on Women: A Scoping Review », Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 54, p. 231‑258.
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  23. Woolweaver, A. B., N. Abu Khalaf, D. L. Espelage, Z. Zhou, R. Reynoso Marmolejos, M. Calnan et R. Mirsen (2024). « Outcomes Associated with Adolescent Dating and Sexual Violence Victimization: A Systematic Review of School-Based Literature », Trauma, Violence & Abuse, vol. 25, n° 4, p. 2781‑2796.
  24. Elliott, S. A., K. L. Goodman, E. S. Bardwell et T. M. Mullin (2022). « Reactions to the disclosure of intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse: Findings from the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 127.
  25. Therriault, C., N. Bigras, M. Hébert et N. Godbout (2020). « All involved in the recovery: Disclosure and social reactions following sexual victimization », Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, vol. 29, n° 6, p. 661‑679.
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  30. Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2024). « Les fausses allégations d’agression sexuelle chez les enfants », dans Institut national de santé publique du Québec, [en ligne], <https://www.inspq.qc.ca/violence-sexuelle/devoilement/fausses-allegatio…; (consulté le 20 janvier 2025).

Author: Maude Lachapelle, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ
Contributor: Dominique Gagné, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ
External review : Karine Mac Donald, Criminologist and Executive Director of the Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes (AQPV) | Gaële Côté, Sexual and Domestic Violence Counsellor, ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux

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