Myths & Truths
TRUTH: About 85-90% of college women reported knowing the offender prior to the assault [1]. Sexual assault can be committed within any type of relationship, including in marriage, in dating relationships, or by friends, acquaintances or co-workers. Sexual assault can occur in heterosexual or same-gender relationships. It does not matter whether there is a current or past relationship between the victim and offender; unwanted sexual activity is still sexual assault and is a serious crime.
FOOTNOTES
[1] National Institute of Justice. 2018. “Sexual Assault on Campus: Most Victims Know Their Attacker.”
[2] RAINN. n.d. “Campus Sexual Violence: Statistics.”
[3] Kennedy, Merrit. 2016. “California Eliminates Statute Of Limitations On Rape Cases.” NPR.
[4] Rennison, Callie Marie. 2000. “Criminal Victimization 1999: Changes 1998-99 with Trends 1993-99.” U.S. Department of Justice.
[5] California Senate Bill No. 967: Chapter 748.
[6] Bureau of Justice Statistics. 2001. “Differences in Rates of Violent Crime Experienced by Whites and Blacks Narrow.”
[7] Greenfeld, Lawrence A. and Steven K. Smith. 1999. “American Indians and Crime.” U.S. Department of Justice.