UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND RAPE

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an umbrella term used to describe harmful behaviours directed at a person because of their gender, gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender roles. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic status, although women and girls are disproportionately affected.

GBV can occur in many different settings, including intimate relationships, families, workplaces, schools, communities, and online spaces. While experiences and circumstances may vary, all forms of GBV involve the misuse of power, control, coercion, inequality, or violence to cause harm.

GBV includes many forms of abuse, including:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual violence
• Physical abuse
• Emotional and psychological abuse
• Financial abuse
• Digital abuse
• Stalking
• Coercive control
• Human trafficking
• Harmful practices linked to discrimination and inequality

Gender-Based Violence is a violation of human rights and can have serious physical, emotional, psychological, social, and financial consequences for survivors, families, and communities.

Understanding GBV is often the first step towards recognising abuse, seeking support, and making informed decisions about safety and wellbeing.

Domestic violence, also referred to as domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behaviour used to gain power and control over a current or former partner, spouse, family member, or person within a domestic relationship.

Many people associate domestic violence only with physical violence, but it can also include:

• Emotional abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse
• Digital abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Coercive control
• Intimidation and threats

Domestic violence can affect people of any age, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.

It often involves repeated behaviours that create fear, dependency, intimidation, isolation, or loss of personal freedom.

Sexual violence occurring within an intimate relationship is also a form of domestic violence.

Sexual violence is any sexual act, behaviour, or contact that occurs without a person's freely given and informed consent.

Sexual violence can be committed by:

• A stranger
• An acquaintance
• A friend
• A colleague
• A family member
• A spouse
• An intimate partner
• Any other person

Sexual violence can occur as a once-off incident or as part of an ongoing pattern of abuse and control.

Sexual violence is not about sexual desire. It is about power, control, coercion, intimidation, and the violation of another person's bodily autonomy.

Sexual violence includes:

• Rape
• Sexual assault
• Sexual coercion
• Unwanted sexual contact
• Sexual harassment
• Forced sexual activity
• Reproductive coercion
• Other non-consensual sexual acts

Consent is a voluntary, informed, and freely given agreement to engage in a specific activity. Consent must be clear, active, and mutual. It should never be assumed.

✔ Consent Means:

• Saying "yes" freely.
• Having the ability to make an informed decision.
• Understanding what is being agreed to.
• Agreement without pressure, fear, threats, manipulation, or force.

✖ Consent Does Not Mean:

• Silence.
• Not saying "no."
• Previous sexual activity.
• Being in a relationship or marriage.
• Agreeing to one activity and being forced into another.

Capacity to Consent

A person must have the legal and mental capacity to make an informed and voluntary decision about sexual activity. Capacity means that the individual understands what is happening and can freely communicate their choice.

A person may lack capacity to consent if they are:

• Unconscious or asleep.
• Significantly intoxicated.
• Under the legal age of consent.
• Experiencing a cognitive impairment that prevents informed decision-making.
• Being subjected to coercion, threats, or intimidation.

Consent and Alcohol

Alcohol can impair judgement, decision-making, awareness, and the ability to communicate clearly. When a person is highly intoxicated, they may not have the capacity to give meaningful consent.

Key Points

• Being intoxicated does not excuse someone from obtaining consent.
• A person who is passed out, unconscious, or unable to understand what is happening cannot consent.
• If there is uncertainty about a person's ability to consent, sexual activity should not take place.

Consent and Drugs

Drugs can affect a person's awareness, memory, judgement, and ability to make decisions. This includes illegal substances, prescription medication, and substances used to facilitate sexual assault. [iris.who.int], [nsvrc.org]

Important Information

• A person who is impaired by drugs may be unable to consent.
• Administering drugs to someone without their knowledge or using their impairment to engage in sexual activity is a serious form of sexual violence.
• Consent obtained when a person's judgement is severely impaired is not valid consent.

Consent and Marriage & Relationships

Being married, dating, engaged, or in a long-term relationship does not mean automatic consent to sexual activity. Every person has the right to decide what happens to their body at all times.

Remember:

• Consent is required every time.
• Previous sexual activity does not guarantee future consent.
• A spouse or partner can commit sexual assault or rape.
• Healthy relationships are based on mutual respect and communication.

Consent Can be Withdrawn

Consent is ongoing and can be withdrawn at any point, even if sexual activity has already begun. Once someone indicates that they no longer wish to continue, all sexual activity must stop immediately.

Withdrawal of Consent May Include:

• Saying "stop."
• Saying "I don't want to continue."
• Pulling away or showing clear discomfort.
• Becoming unconscious or unable to communicate.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at a person because of their gender, gender identity, or perceived gender roles. GBV can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socio-economic background. It can occur in homes, schools, workplaces, communities, and online.

For survivors, understanding the different forms of GBV is often the first step toward recognising abuse and seeking help.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the use of physical force that causes or has the potential to cause harm, injury, disability, or death.

Examples:

• Hitting, punching, slapping, or kicking
• Pushing or shoving
• Strangulation or choking
• Burning or scalding
• Using weapons to threaten or harm
• Preventing someone from getting medical care

Impact:

Physical abuse can result in visible injuries, chronic health problems, disability, trauma, anxiety, and fear. Many survivors live in constant fear of the next incident.

Remember: Physical abuse is never justified, regardless of what argument or situation preceded it.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse occurs when a person is forced, pressured, manipulated, or coerced into any sexual activity without their consent.

Examples:

• Rape or attempted rape
• Unwanted touching or sexual contact
• Forcing someone to perform sexual acts
• Sexual activity with someone who cannot consent
• Sharing intimate images without permission
• Reproductive coercion (controlling pregnancy or contraception)

Impact:

Survivors may experience physical injuries, emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and difficulty trusting others.

Important: A person's clothing, behaviour, or relationship status never causes sexual abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse involves behaviours that undermine a person's self-worth, identity, and emotional well-being.

Examples:

• Constant criticism
• Humiliation or embarrassment
• Belittling achievements
• Public shaming
• Making someone feel worthless
• Intentionally causing guilt

What It Sounds Like:

• "You're useless."
• "Nobody else would want you."
• "Everything is your fault."

Impact:

Over time, emotional abuse can destroy confidence, self-esteem, and a person's sense of self-worth.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse is a pattern of behaviours designed to control, intimidate, isolate, or manipulate another person.

Examples:

• Threats of violence
• Threatening self-harm to control someone
• Intimidation
• Gaslighting (making someone question their reality)
• Isolation from family and friends
• Constant monitoring

Impact:

Survivors often begin doubting their own memory, judgement, and experiences. This can lead to anxiety, depression, confusion, and emotional exhaustion.

Verbal Abuse

Verbal abuse involves the use of words to intimidate, degrade, insult, or control another person.

Examples:

• Name-calling
• Shouting or screaming
• Insults
• Threats
• Humiliation
• Derogatory comments about appearance, culture, gender, or abilities

Impact:

Although there may be no physical injuries, verbal abuse can leave deep emotional scars and contribute to long-term mental health challenges.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse occurs when someone uses money or economic resources to control, exploit, or limit another person's independence.

Examples:

• Taking someone's earnings
• Refusing access to money
• Preventing someone from working
• Creating debt in another person's name
• Controlling all financial decisions
• Withholding necessities such as food, medication, or transport money

Impact:

Financial abuse can make it extremely difficult for survivors to leave abusive situations because they become financially dependent on the abuser.

Digital Abuse

Digital abuse uses technology to harass, control, threaten, or monitor someone.

Examples:

• Reading messages without permission
• Tracking someone's location
• Demanding passwords
• Posting embarrassing content online
• Cyberbullying
• Non-consensual sharing of intimate photos
• Sending threatening messages

Impact:

Survivors often feel there is no safe space because the abuse follows them wherever they go.

Stalking

Stalking is repeated unwanted behaviour that causes fear or concern for a person's safety.

Examples:

• Following someone
• Showing up unexpectedly
• Sending excessive messages
• Monitoring social media
• Watching a person's home or workplace
• Repeated unwanted gifts or contact

Impact:

Stalking can create constant fear, hypervigilance, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness.

Trust your instincts: If someone's behaviour makes you fear for your safety, it should be taken seriously.

Coercive Control

Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour aimed at dominating another person and restricting their freedom.

Examples:

• Controlling where someone goes
• Controlling who they speak to
• Monitoring movements
• Isolating them from support systems
• Managing clothing choices
• Dictating daily activities

Impact:

The survivor gradually loses independence, confidence, and decision-making power.

Coercive control is often present even when there is no physical violence.

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, harbouring, or exploiting people through force, fraud, coercion, or deception.

Common Forms:

• Sexual exploitation
• Forced labour
• Domestic servitude
• Forced marriage
• Criminal exploitation

Warning Signs:

• Restricted freedom of movement
• Fearfulness around authority figures
• Lack of personal identification documents
• Someone else controlling communication

Impact:

Human trafficking violates fundamental human rights and can result in severe physical and psychological trauma.

Child Abuse

Child abuse occurs when a child is harmed, neglected, exploited, or exposed to violence.

Types:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Neglect
• Exploitation

Warning Signs:

• Unexplained injuries
• Sudden behavioural changes
• Withdrawal
• Fear of specific adults
• Poor hygiene or malnutrition

Impact:

Child abuse can affect a child's development, education, physical health, and emotional well-being throughout adulthood.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse refers to harm or neglect experienced by older persons, often by someone they trust.

Examples:

• Physical abuse
• Financial exploitation
• Neglect
• Emotional abuse
• Withholding medication or care

Impact:

Older adults may experience declining health, isolation, depression, and loss of dignity.

GBV and Disability

Persons with disabilities often face increased risks of GBV due to dependence on caregivers, communication barriers, discrimination, and social isolation.

Examples:

• Withholding mobility devices
• Refusing access to medication
• Financial exploitation
• Sexual abuse by caregivers
• Communication restrictions

Additional Challenges:

• Difficulty reporting abuse
• Lack of accessible services
• Fear of losing support systems

Key Message:

Everyone deserves accessible, inclusive, and safe support services.

LGBTQIA+ Survivors

LGBTQIA+ individuals can experience unique forms of GBV linked to discrimination, stigma, and prejudice.

Examples:

• Threats to "out" someone's identity
• Family rejection
• Intimate partner violence
• Bullying and harassment
• Conversion practices
• Sexual violence motivated by prejudice

Barriers to Support:

• Fear of discrimination
• Lack of inclusive services
• Social stigma
• Concerns about confidentiality

Key Message:

GBV can affect people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Everyone deserves safety, dignity, and respect.

Rural Communities

People living in rural areas often face additional barriers when seeking help for GBV.

Common Challenges:

• Limited access to support services
• Long distances to police stations or healthcare facilities
• Lack of transport
• Greater social isolation
• Community pressure to remain silent

Impact:

Survivors may feel trapped because support is less accessible.

Key Message:

Location should never determine whether someone can access protection and support.

How Abuse Often Progresses

Abusive relationships rarely begin with severe abuse.

Many start with attention, affection, and promises of love. Over time, controlling behaviours may gradually emerge and intensify.

A common progression may include:

• Excessive attention and affection.
• Growing jealousy or possessiveness.
• Attempts to control decisions and activities.
• Isolation from friends, family, or support systems.
• Increased criticism, manipulation, or intimidation.
• Threats or coercion.
• Physical violence or escalating abusive behaviours.
• Not all relationships follow this exact pattern, but abuse often becomes more frequent and severe over time.

Cycle of Abuse

Many abusive relationships follow a repeating cycle that can make it difficult to leave.

Tension Building

Tension begins to grow within the relationship.

You may feel:

• Anxious
• Fearful
• Like you are walking on eggshells
• Responsible for keeping the peace

Incident

An abusive incident occurs.

This may involve:

• Verbal abuse
• Threats
• Emotional manipulation
• Intimidation
• Physical violence

Reconciliation

The abusive partner may apologise or attempt to repair the relationship.

They may:

• Promise to change
• Make excuses
• Buy gifts
• Become affectionate
• Shift blame onto external circumstances

Calm

The relationship temporarily appears stable.

The abuse may stop for a period, leading to hope that things will improve.

Unfortunately, without meaningful intervention and accountability, the cycle often repeats and may become more severe over time.

People often ask, "Why don't they just leave?" The reality is that leaving an abusive relationship is often one of the most difficult and dangerous steps a person can take.

There are many reasons why survivors remain in abusive relationships, and none of them are a sign of weakness.

Fear

Many survivors fear:

• Escalating violence.
• Threats against children, family members, or pets.
• Stalking or harassment.
• Retaliation if they attempt to leave.

For some, leaving may be the period of greatest risk.

Financial Dependence

Abusers often create financial barriers by:

• Controlling household finances.
• Restricting access to money.
• Preventing employment.
• Creating financial dependence.

Without access to resources, leaving can feel impossible.

Children

Parents often remain because they:

• Fear losing custody.
• Want to protect their children.
• Worry about financial stability.
• Hope to keep the family together.

These decisions are often made from a place of protection, not weakness.

Isolation

Abusers frequently isolate their partners from support networks.

Over time, survivors may lose contact with:

• Family
• Friends
• Community groups
• Professional support

This isolation can create the belief that there is nowhere to turn.

Hope for Change

Many survivors stay because they love their partner and believe the relationship can improve.

They may remember:

• The person their partner was at the beginning.
• Periods of kindness and affection.
• Promises to seek help or change.

Hope is a natural human response and one of the reasons trauma bonds can become so powerful.

Lack of Support

Some survivors face additional barriers such as:

• Cultural or religious pressures.
• Lack of safe accommodation.
• Fear of being judged or blamed.
• Limited access to support services.
• Concerns about immigration or legal status.

No one should have to face abuse alone, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

You Are Not Alone

If any of the information on this page feels familiar, please know that help is available. Abuse is never your fault, and you deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Reaching out for support can be the first step towards safety and healing.

GBV happens because someone chooses to use power, control, coercion, intimidation, or violence against another person.

Everyone has the responsibility to challenge harmful attitudes, support survivors, and help build communities free from violence and abuse.

One of the most common questions people ask is: "Why does GBV happen?"

GBV is never caused by a survivor's behaviour, clothing, choices, culture, or actions. The responsibility for violence always lies with the person committing it.

GBV happens because of complex social, cultural, economic, and personal factors that allow violence, inequality, and abuse to exist. Understanding these causes helps us challenge harmful beliefs, prevent violence, and create safer communities.

Power and Control

At its core, GBV is often about power and control rather than anger, love, or sexual desire.

Individuals who commit abuse often use violence, threats, intimidation, manipulation, or coercion to gain power over another person. Their goal is often to control the survivor's behaviour, decisions, relationships, finances, freedom, or sense of self.

What This Can Look Like:

• Controlling who a person talks to
• Monitoring their movements
• Controlling money or resources
• Making decisions on their behalf
• Using fear to maintain dominance
• Threatening harm if they do not comply

The Impact:

Over time, survivors may feel trapped, isolated, fearful, and dependent on the abuser.

Key Message:

GBV is rarely about losing control—it is often about using violence and intimidation to gain or maintain control over someone else.

Gender Inequality

GBV is deeply connected to unequal power relationships between genders.

For generations, many societies have promoted beliefs that men should hold more power, authority, or privilege than women and girls. These unequal beliefs can contribute to discrimination, abuse, and violence.

Examples of Gender Inequality:

• Believing men should make all important decisions
• Limiting women's independence or opportunities
• Expecting women to be submissive or obedient
• Treating women and girls as less valuable
• Viewing violence as a way to "discipline" or control

The Impact:

Gender inequality creates environments where abuse can be normalised, ignored, or excused.

Key Message:

When people are not treated as equals, abuse becomes easier to justify and harder to challenge.

Harmful Social Norms

Social norms are the unwritten rules that influence how people think and behave.

Some harmful norms can contribute to GBV by making violence seem acceptable, expected, or unavoidable.

Harmful Messages Society Sometimes Promotes:

• "What happens in the home should stay in the home."
• "Boys will be boys."
• "Women should tolerate abuse to keep the family together."
• "Real men must be dominant and tough."
• "Victims should stay silent to avoid shame."

These attitudes can discourage survivors from reporting abuse and may protect perpetrators from accountability.

The Impact:

Communities may ignore warning signs, blame victims, or minimise abusive behaviour.

Key Message:

Violence thrives in silence. Challenging harmful social norms is essential for preventing GBV.

Learned Behaviour

Violence is often a learned behaviour.

People who grow up witnessing abuse, violence, intimidation, or unhealthy relationships may come to believe that these behaviours are normal ways of resolving conflict or exercising control.

This does not mean that everyone exposed to violence will become abusive. Many people who experience violence choose not to continue the cycle.

Examples:

• Children witnessing domestic violence
• Growing up in homes where intimidation is common
• Seeing violence accepted in the community
• Learning that aggression leads to power or respect

The Impact:

Without positive examples of healthy relationships, harmful behaviours can continue across generations.

Key Message:

Violence can be learned—but it can also be unlearned through education, awareness, accountability, and healthy role models.

Desire for Control

Some individuals use abuse because they want to dominate, restrict, or control another person's choices and independence.

This behaviour often stems from attitudes of entitlement—the belief that they have the right to determine how another person should behave, think, dress, work, socialise, or live.

Examples:

• Telling a partner what they can wear
• Limiting contact with family and friends
• Tracking someone's whereabouts
• Dictating household decisions
• Demanding obedience

The Impact:

The survivor gradually loses confidence, independence, and freedom.

Key Message:

Healthy relationships are built on respect and equality—not ownership, dominance, or control.

Economic and Social Factors

While poverty does not cause GBV, social and economic pressures can increase vulnerability and make it more difficult for survivors to escape abusive situations.

Contributing Factors May Include:

• Unemployment
• Financial instability
• Limited access to education
• Housing insecurity
• Social isolation
• Dependence on an abusive partner
• Limited support services

How This Affects Survivors:

Many survivors remain in dangerous situations because they fear losing financial support, housing, childcare, or basic necessities.

Additional Challenges:

• Rural isolation
• Lack of transport
• Limited access to legal services
• Community stigma
• Fear of discrimination

Key Message:

Economic hardship does not cause violence, but it can create conditions that make survivors more vulnerable and less able to access support.

Lack of Accountability

GBV continues when perpetrators believe there will be no consequences for their actions.

When abuse is ignored, excused, minimised, or hidden, it sends a dangerous message that violence is acceptable.

Examples:

• Families covering up abuse
• Communities blaming survivors
• Failure to report crimes
• Fear of speaking out
• Weak responses from institutions
• Cultural acceptance of violence

The Impact:

Survivors may feel unsupported, while perpetrators may feel empowered to continue abusive behaviour.

Creating Accountability Means:

• Believing survivors
• Reporting violence
• Enforcing laws and policies
• Challenging harmful attitudes
• Holding perpetrators responsible for their actions

Key Message:

Ending GBV requires accountability at every level—individuals, families, communities, workplaces, schools, and society as a whole.

Understanding the Bigger Picture

GBV does not happen because of a survivor's actions. It happens because of unequal power, harmful beliefs, discrimination, control, and systems that allow abuse to continue.

When we challenge harmful norms, promote equality, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable, we help create a world where everyone can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.

GBV is not a private issue. It is a human rights issue. Preventing violence begins with respect, equality, dignity, and accountability.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) can affect every aspect of a person's life. The impact may be immediate or may only become apparent months or years later. Every survivor's experience is unique, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to respond to trauma.

The effects of GBV can be physical, emotional, psychological, social, financial, and spiritual.

Physical Impact

Survivors may experience physical injuries or health problems resulting from abuse.

Possible physical effects include:

• Bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures
• Chronic pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Physical disabilities resulting from severe violence
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV
• Unwanted or unplanned pregnancy
• Reproductive health complications

Not all survivors will have visible injuries. The absence of physical injuries does not lessen the seriousness of the abuse.

Emotional Impact

GBV often affects how survivors feel about themselves and the world around them.

Survivors may experience:

• Fear
• Shock
• Anger
• Sadness
• Guilt
• Shame
• Embarrassment
• Confusion
• Helplessness
• Hopelessness
• Emotional numbness

These emotions are normal responses to trauma.

Psychological and Mental Health Impact

The effects of trauma can continue long after the abuse has ended.

Survivors may experience:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Hypervigilance (constantly feeling on alert)
• Nightmares and flashbacks
• Low self-esteem
• Trust issues
• Self-harm
• Suicidal thoughts

Seeking professional support can help survivors process and heal from these experiences.

Social Impact

GBV can affect relationships and a survivor's connection to their community.

This may include:

• Isolation from family and friends
• Difficulty trusting others
• Relationship difficulties
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Stigma and discrimination
• Loss of support networks
• Feeling disconnected from the community

Many survivors become isolated because abusers deliberately separate them from people who could offer support.

Financial Impact

Many survivors face significant financial challenges as a result of abuse.

Examples include:

• Loss of employment
• Reduced income
• Financial dependence on the abuser
• Debt
• Homelessness or housing insecurity
• Medical expenses
• Legal costs
• Difficulty accessing education or training opportunities

Financial abuse can make it particularly difficult for survivors to leave abusive situations.

Impact on Education and Employment

GBV can affect a person's ability to study or work.

Survivors may experience:

• Absenteeism from school or work
• Reduced performance
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of career opportunities
• Reduced productivity
• Job loss
• Interrupted education

Impact on Children

Children who experience abuse or witness violence in the home can also be deeply affected.

They may experience:

• Anxiety and fear
• Difficulty concentrating at school
• Behavioural challenges
• Emotional distress
• Sleep problems
• Developmental delays
• Difficulty forming healthy relationships later in life

Children do not have to be directly abused to be harmed by violence in the home.

Impact on Relationships

Abuse can change how survivors view relationships and personal safety.

Survivors may:

• Struggle to trust others
• Fear intimacy or closeness
• Feel unsafe in relationships
• Find it difficult to set boundaries
• Experience challenges in future relationships

With support and healing, survivors can build healthy and fulfilling relationships.

Spiritual Impact

For some survivors, GBV can affect their spiritual or religious beliefs.

They may:

• Question their faith
• Feel abandoned or unsupported
• Struggle with feelings of anger or guilt
• Seek comfort and healing through spiritual practices

Every person's spiritual journey and response to trauma is different.

The Impact on Families and Communities

GBV does not only affect the survivor.

It can also impact:

• Children
• Parents
• Family members
• Friends
• Workplaces
• Schools
• Communities

Communities affected by GBV often experience increased fear, reduced wellbeing, and a breakdown of trust and social cohesion.

Healing Is Possible

Although the effects of GBV can be severe, recovery is possible.

With the right support, survivors can:

• Rebuild their confidence
• Regain a sense of safety
• Improve their physical and emotional wellbeing
• Develop healthy relationships
• Pursue education and career goals
• Live full and meaningful lives

Remember:

There is no "correct" way to react to trauma, and there is no set timeline for healing. Every survivor's journey is different. Help, support, and recovery are possible.

Some abusive people apologise, cry, promise to change, or ask for another chance after causing harm. While change is possible, genuine change requires far more than words.

Real change happens when a person takes full responsibility for their behaviour, stops blaming others, seeks help, accepts consequences, respects boundaries, and consistently demonstrates healthy behaviour over time.

Importantly, the responsibility for change belongs to the person who caused the harm. They are not entitled to forgiveness, reconciliation, or another opportunity to be part of the survivor's life.

Change is measured by actions, accountability, and long-term behaviour—not promises.

A myth is a false, prejudicial, or stereotypical belief about rape, sexual violence, survivors, and perpetrators. These myths can discourage survivors from seeking help, lead to victim-blaming, and create barriers to justice and healing. Challenging these myths is an important step in creating safer communities and ensuring that survivors are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.

The facts below help separate common misconceptions from reality.