ACQUAINTANCE RAPE

Acquaintance rape, more commonly known as Date Rape, is forcible sexual activity against a person's will by someone they know. Unfortunately, date rape is the more common form of sexual assault among college-aged persons. Here are some common myths and the actual facts.

MYTHS.

1. Stranger rape is much more traumatic and serious than date rape.
2. The way a person dresses or acts can justify a sexual assault because they were "asking for it."
3. You won't be raped if you don't go to an unfamiliar place with someone you don't know.
4. Women make accusations of rape the next morning because they feel guilty.
5. People who have fantasies about being raped, secretly want someone to rape them.
6. People who are raped fight back and show physical sings of being attacked like cuts, bruises, and torn clothes.
7. If either, or both, parties are drunk or high, it can't be considered rape.
8. Men can't be raped.

FACTS.

1. Date rape by someone you know can be even more traumatic and is just as serious as stranger rape. Survivors often feel a tremendous sense of guilt and a loss of trust when there is any history with their attacker.
2. Blaming the victim may relieve some people's anxiety and create a sense of control to explain why a rape occurred, but a person's dress or behavior NEVER provides justification for sexual assault.
3. Most assailants are known to the survivor and occur during the weekends while hanging out in familiar environments (e.g. someone's residence).
4. Date rape is more likely to be underreported than over reported, and false rape charges are rarely made. Due to the confusion that often surrounds a date rape, one or more of the persons involved may not fully understand the reality of what had happened until later.
5. Fantasy and actions are two entirely different things. To carry out a sexual fantasy, trust in a partner is of critical importance. Rape is an act of control and violence that leaves the survivor with physical and emotional injury.
6. Fighting back may or may not be an option for a survivor whose life is being threatened and sense of safety overpowered. Date rape, in particular, may involve verbal coercion or intoxication where consent was never given.
7. Just like in a legal document, you must be of sound mind and body to provide consent. This applies to both the perpetrator and the survivor. Getting drunk or high is never an excuse for violating someone else.
8. Although most date rapes are committed against women, men can also be victimized and violated. Seeking help may be even more difficult and traumatic for men who are often not targeted for services and feel that their masculinity has been threatened.

Rape, of any type, is an act of violence and control. Survivors may or may not understand the impact that the rape had on their life until considerable time has passed. Rape sends a shockwave through the lives of the survivor as well as his or her friends, family and partners. CAPS has sensitive, trained professionals experienced in working with survivors of sexual assault. Other campus resources include the Ashe Center, the Center For Women And Men, University police, the UCLA hospital emergency room, and nearby, the Santa Monica UCLA Rape Treatment Center (at Santa Monica hospital, 310-319-4000).