causes of rape

Rape myths give people a false sense of security by minimising and/or denying the prevalence of sexual violence.

They accomplish this by blaming the victim and making excuses for the perpetrator. In effect these myths perpetuate sexual violence because they play a powerful part in defining responses to rape and create an excuse not to address the realities of sexual violence.

Sexual Harassment

Before the mid 1970s, sexual harassment had no name, it existed but the language to name it did not exist. Since that time, there has been a growing awareness and reporting of sexual harassment. Sexual Harassment can include:

• Physical Conduct - suggestive looks and gestures
• Staring and leering
• Threatening behaviour
• Brushing against another's body, pinching, touching or rubbing in a sexual manner
• Promises of job benefits or promotion in exchange for sexual favours, threats of risks to job security if sexual favours are not granted
• Verbal conduct - sexual remarks, jokes, catcalls, whistling and teasing, asking questions about personal or sexual life, turning discussions to sexual topics, telling sexual stories, making sexual innuendoes, sexual comments about a person's clothing, anatomy or looks, patronising , derogatory remarks or references, repeated requests for dates or sexual favours
• Non-verbal conduct - pin-up calendars, sexually explicit materials, pornography, computer pornography, mobile phone pornography, sexist graffiti.

Most women have had the experience of men pushing up against them in an uncomfortable manner in a crowded place or on public transport, without being able to do anything about it other than by getting away as soon as possible. Many men and women would see it as 'harmless fun' or being friendly whilst the women who express not feeling comfortable about this behaviour are often accused of not having a sense of humour. Sexual harassment is part of the intimidation many women face in their everyday life.

None of this behaviour can clearly be defined by the law, (or probably by women) as sexual assault. This behaviour can include:

Comments, and a feeling like you are being undressed:

".Someone will always stand really close or sit next to me and want to touch me".

Obscene phone calls, pornography, flashing, kerb crawling, being watched or followed (stalking) and sexual assault from male work colleagues:

"Men at work - comment on the way you dress, the shape of your legs, the size of your bum, your bust and look up your skirt at any opportunity".

Men on building sites, groups of men in public and / or social places:

"I hate it in the local pub, the men there look at you as if they are stripping you".Some women are coerced or pressurised into sex through violent intimidation, verbal threats, and pornography - but do not identify it as rape or sexual assault.