No matter who is involved, it is important to understand that sexual violence is not an act of sexual desire, but one of power and control. There are many reasons why sexual violence occurs in our culture. Understanding the causes is the first step to prevention. For example, in a society where men are portrayed as being aggressive and women are seen as passive, a man who hits a woman is often perceived as behaving acceptably. Alcohol and other drugs reduce inhibitions and cloud judgements.
People often make unhealthy decisions and increase their own vulnerability when under the influence.
Individuals do not always communicate clearly about their sexual desires and expectations. Even when they do, others may only hear what they want or what they have been taught to believe. Such myths and misconceptions add to the prevalence of sexual violence. These reasons reinforce a belief that some people are not as equal as others. By focusing on a person's style of dress, choice of lifestyle, physical appearance, sexual orientation and more, the deindividualization and degradation of people becomes a strong factor in sexual violence.