Misinformation about domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking can prevent victims from getting the help they need. Let’s set the record straight on some of the most common myths.
MYTH: Domestic violence only happens in poor or uneducated communities.
FACT: Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of income, education level, race, or background. Abuse is about power and control, not economic status.
MYTH: If it was really rape, the victim would report it immediately.
FACT: Many survivors do not report due to fear, trauma, shame or threats from the perpetrator. Delayed reporting—or never reporting—does not mean the assault didn’t happen.
MYTH: Trafficking only happens when someone is kidnapped.
FACT: Most trafficking victims are manipulated or coerced, not abducted. Traffickers often exploit vulnerable individuals, including runaway youth and those facing economic hardship.
MYTH: If someone stays in an abusive relationship, it must not be that bad.
FACT: Leaving an abuser can be extremely dangerous. Victims often stay due to fear, financial dependence, manipulation, or threats to their safety or to the safety of loved ones. The most lethal time in an abusive relationship is when a survivor tries to leave.
MYTH: Men are not victims of domestic or sexual violence.
FACT: Men can and do experience domestic violence and sexual assault. While women make up the majority of reported cases, men and non-binary individuals also face abuse and often struggle to be believed.
MYTH: Alcohol and drugs cause people to become violent or commit sexual assault.
FACT: Substances do not cause abuse—abusers do. While alcohol and drugs can lower inhibitions, they do not excuse or justify violent behavior.
MYTH: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.
FACT: The vast majority of sexual assaults—more than 80%—are committed by someone the victim knows, such as a friend, coworker or partner.
MYTH: If a victim didn’t fight back, it wasn’t really assault.
FACT: Freezing in fear is a common response to trauma. Many survivors experience tonic immobility, where their body shuts down in response to extreme fear. Consent is never implied by silence or lack of resistance.
MYTH: False accusations of abuse and assault are common.
FACT: False reports are rare—only about 2-10% of reported cases. The fear of being falsely accused is often exaggerated, while the reality is that most survivors never report their abuse at all.
Breaking the Myths, Supporting Survivors
Understanding the truth about domestic and sexual violence is the first step toward supporting survivors and creating a safer community. If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to True North of Columbia for support and resources.
