Sometimes people agree to a sexual act because they are frightened - this is not consent. Children do not have the ability to consent to any sexual act with someone who is in a position of power over them, as they do not understand the implications of a sexual relationship and due to the power imbalance, cannot consent to the sexual bahaviours. There are many myths surrounding sexual assault. These myths serve to deny the reality of sexual assault, diminish the effects of sexual assault, blame the victims, and protect the offender by implying that they are not responsible for their abusive actions or behaviours. The Reality of Sexual Assault Perpetrators are usually male and most often someone that the victim knew and thought they could trust.
Victims are mostly women and children, although men can also be victims of sexual violence.
There may have been one or many assaults, there may have been one perpetrator or multiple perpetrators. The assaults may have taken place over a long period of time. When incest occurs within a family, often there is more than one child who is a victim of sexual assault. Perpetrators of sexual assault use power, force and manipulation to attempt to control the body, senses and emotions of their victims. It is estimated that one in 4 females and one in 7 males will experience sexual assault by the time they are 18 years of age.