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Sexualized violence resources and support

Understanding Myths about Sexualized Violence

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How to Disrupt Myths and Stereotypes

1. Support survivors

Many myths make survivors afraid to share their experiences. The most powerful way to support a survivor is to believe them and respond with empathy.

2. Be an Active Bystander

Everyone plays a role in creating a culture of respect and consent. If you witness inappropriate jokes, comments, or behaviors influenced by myths, intervene safely. UVic offers an 80-minute Active Bystander Intervention workshop to learn strategies.

3. Practice Accountability

We all hold myths or stereotypes about sexualized violence. Start by reflecting on your own beliefs and those in your family or community. 

Remember: Sexualized violence is never a survivor’s fault. Always believe survivors.

Common myths and facts

Reality: Anyone can experience sexualized violence. Some groups face higher risks due to oppression (colonialism, racism, ableism, ageism, classism, homophobia, etc.).

Reality: It includes unwanted acts from sexual jokes or images without consent to sexual harassment and assault.

Reality: Impact matters more than intent. Excuses like “I didn’t mean to” are not valid. Consent must always be sought.

Reality: Most survivors know the person who harmed them. 87% of reported cases in Canada involve someone known to the survivor.

Reality: Consent must be clear, ongoing, and can be withdrawn at any time. Past consent does not imply future consent.

Reality: Incapacitated people cannot consent. It is the responsibility of the person initiating the activity to ensure consent.

Reality: Anyone, regardless of relationship, can commit sexualized violence.

Reality: This is called victim-blaming. Clothing or behaviour is never an invitation for sexualized violence.

Reality: Anyone can commit or experience sexualized violence. Women, trans, 2Spirit, and gender non-conforming people are disproportionately affected. Intersectional factors matter.

Reality: Many do not report due to fear of blame, retraumatization or systemic discrimination.

Reality: Trauma affects people differently. Calmness, anger, laughter or avoidance are all normal responses.

Reality: Taking or sharing intimate images without consent is a crime in Canada and considered sexualized violence under UVic’s policy.

Reality: There are no confirmed Canadian statistics on false reports because of challenges in collecting accurate data. Police-reported crime data does not track false reports (Statistics Canada, 2017). Academic research shows false reporting is low—between 2–10% (Ferguson & Malouff, 2016). Myths about false reports make it harder for survivors to come forward and get support. UVic has procedurally fair investigation processes in place to address actual false reports.

Reality: taking or sharing intimate images without consent is a crime in Canada. UVic’s Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Policy includes harm done through technology or online. Sharing such images can cause serious emotional harm and is considered sexualized violence under UVic’s Policy.