It takes tremendous courage for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assaults to come forward to make a report. Having already experienced a crime of such violation many would struggle to understand or process, the victim can experience a range of completely valid trauma responses that are both individual and have commonality with others of the same experiences.
These responses are often used against the victim to justify and excuse the violent behaviours of perpetrators, rather than showing understanding, compassion, and belief to those violated.
*** contains discussion about Sexual Violence***
After a Sexual Assault or series of assaults has occurred, a Victim often experiences the immediate personal denial that something so horrendous has happened to them. There's grief, shame, shock, betrayal and disbelief. And self-blame. Some Victims experience dissociation which means it can take a considerable amount of time to process the reality and impact of what has been done to them.
There is a deeply ingrained prevalence of victim-blaming and shaming in our society, which those reporting Sexual Violence must overcome and can leave Victims feeling vulnerable, humiliated, and responsible.
They may make excuses for what occurred, and deny the possibility that their perpetrator could commit such a heinous crime. The result of this prevalence of victim-blaming is the silencing of Victims and Survivors. By silencing Victims and Survivors, society protects and enables sexually violent perpetrators which is what they have been groomed to do.
If the Victim decides to file a report, they are subjected to humiliation, degradation, and intense scrutiny of their lives. Sometimes this can involve deeply personal and unrelated aspects of themselves from the past. There is guilt and emotional harm when family and friends are subjected to the investigative process, and having to defend their loved one from misinformation and further harm.
Victims often face further stigmatisation and assumptions in professional systems and society, from the health care sector, policing, the legal system and legislation, and the media. Sometimes from within their immediate support network. Resulting in further trauma that compounds the initial trauma from the assault/s.
If the perpetrator has social standing, victims can receive a bombardment of abuse, slander, intimidation, threats from fan bases and powerful contacts of the accused in a very public stream of vitriol that cause further significant harm to the Victim.
While Victims face a barrage of endless myths and rhetoric created by perpetrators who have groomed society to undermine their credibility, they simultaneously create a false, seductive persona that seeks to bolster their image. This adds a layer of protection for themselves and further undermines the Victims' character.
Perpetrators of Sexual Violence hold positions of power in the Victim's network and society which they utilise to silence and deny their victims. He is a ‘nice guy, a father, brother, businessman, police officer, teacher, a husband, a great actor, politician or musician”. He could lead a country or be royalty. These are highly manipulative and premeditated tactics that allow the perpetrator access to and continue to access their Victims mostly undetected, enabled, supported, and often celebrated.
Evidence-based research and lived experience from Victims and Survivors show us that statistically, 96% who commit Sexual Violence are known to their Victims. Stranger assaults do happen but in far smaller numbers but no less traumatising. 97% of offenders are male.
A recent study at the Australian Institute of Criminology suggests one in five men have admitted to perpetrating Sexual Violence to someone over the age of 18.
The UNSW study shows that one in ten men have committed Sexual Violence against children.
And yet, the statistics also show an alarming 1 in 5 women have experienced Sexual Assault.
And 1 in 4 Australian children have experienced Child Sexual Abuse.
Media add responsibility by publishing stories that use this victim-blaming language, reinforcing the tactics designed by perpetrators to silence victims. Sensationalising headlines and utilising language that minimises and dismisses the seriousness of crimes. While painting a picture that the accused is in fact, the victim, and this false allegation will destroy this man's career and life. Reports list endless accolades of those accused of a serious crime while demonising and reinforcing that Victims lie and use language that infers consent, this is especially prevalent in sex crimes against children.
Sometimes this pressure can lead to the Victim redacting their allegation due to the immense personal toll on their wellbeing. Instead of acknowledging the purpose of this pressure was to achieve that outcome, society decides it is confirmation that the allegation was false. Silencing, blaming, and undermining the credibility of the Victim.
The fear of being falsely accused of Sexual Violence is a persistently high narrative in the minds of men. That most allegations are false, the victim is lying, and that allegations ruin lives. This rise in fear has become relevant with the rise of Victims and Survivors finding power in speaking their truths and no longer carrying the shame forced upon them, along with the #metoo movement.
The rise in fear can also be supported by the inconsistent language and understanding of the definitions of what constitutes Sexual Violence by men, the refusal to acknowledge the possibility of their behaviour towards women and children is at minimum questionable, and at worst criminal. Those who question whether they have used coercion or threatening behaviours or, more seriously denied consent and may find themselves subject to allegations. Men who believe their entitlement is greater than the rights of their victim and unwillingness to give up any perceived power. It is easier to maintain the status quo by the use of victim-blaming rhetoric, minimisation, boys will-boys justifications, misogyny, and entitlement.
False allegations do occur. However, many studies have proven this occurrence to be rare, with less than 5% of allegations proven to be false.
Even when convicted, offenders retain their hold on powerful positions in society. In 2024 alone we have witnessed Actors, Olympians, Politicians, and World Leaders reach phenomenal heights of success. Celebrated, empathised, excused and defended. Rewarded.
There remains an extremely low conviction rate for Sexual Violence, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), shows that only 15% of sexual assaults reported to NSW Police result in charges being laid, and only 7% of Sexual Assaults reported to NSW Police end in a conviction.
No conviction does not mean innocence. In the criminal justice system, evidence must be proven without a doubt. Instead, it means there was doubt- however small.
While the consequences of Sexual Violence leave a lifetime of adverse effects that impact every area of the Victim's life, too often we see alleged perpetrators gain strength from support which creates an increase in power and opportunity for the perpetrator. They are idolised, celebrated, and have opportunities that bring financial gain.
This sends a strong message to society that celebrates Sex Offenders and minimises the seriousness of crimes committed while devaluing and minimising the traumatised Victims. Silencing them.
Should men be fearful of false allegations of Sexual Violence?
The evidence suggests women are far more likely to be Sexually Assaulted than men are to receive a false allegation.
Solidarity.
References:
Australian Institute of Criminology (Doherty, Laura Dowling, Christopher) Perpetration of sexual violence in a community sample of adult Australians (10-07-2024)
Australian Human Rights Institute Identifying and understanding child sexual offending behaviour and attitudes among Australian men.( Salter et al.2023)
Australian Bureau of Statistics Sexual assault statistics for offenders proceeded against by police, criminal court outcomes for defendants, and prisoners in adult custody.(2022)
ABC News Guys, you can stop worrying about false rape allegations. They’re extremely rare (2021)
Australian Bureau of Statistics Sexual violence, 2021-22 financial year media release (2023)
Australian Child Maltreatment Study (2023)
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