In the last year, sexual assault has been very prevalent in our world. Remember the swimmer from Stanford? It's important that everyone knows not only what constitutes and assault and what doesn't, but that we dispel assumptions and beliefs about sexual assault that are completely untrue. Do these sound familiar?

Drinking makes you a target to be raped.
Wearing revealing clothes makes you a target for harassment.
Men only want sex and will do anything to get it.
You can avoid being raped if you don’t walk alone or take drinks from strangers.

And If those weren't ridiculous enough, read on.

1. Sexual assault is usually a misunderstanding

This statement is one of my personal favorites…A man and a woman both drink too much at a party. They agree to go home together and end up having sexual relations. Afterward, the woman regrets what she has done and fears who will find out and what they will think so she claims that she was raped. In some instances, this scenario may be factual, but in the large majority of cases, it is not. In fact, 90% of campus rapists are repeat offenders who rely on the above misconception to aid them in getting away with sex crimes. Let’s get real, we all have the ability to pick up on social cues that scream at us when a person is not interested.

2. It is most often strangers who commit sexual assault

Yes, sometimes it is a stranger who commits sexual assault, but most often victims are familiar or know their assailant. Two out of three rape survivors know their attacker. Think about it – who has a better opportunity to commit a sexual assault than someone who knows you and is familiar with your schedule or where you live … pretty scary statistic.

3. Rape is about sexual desire

There is nothing about rape that is desirable or sexual. Most rapes are planned and are entirely about domination and degradation.

4. Women put themselves at risk if they are promiscuous or if they are flirty

Not only is this largely untrue but it is extremely unfair! An overwhelming number of men manage to have entire conversations – even, dare I say, flirt with women in short skirts and low-cut blouses who without raping them. The only difference between a night out on the town in club attire (short skirt, etc.) that ends in a rape and one that does not is the presence of a rapist.

5. Once you have said “yes," you cannot say “no”

Sex is not an unbreakable contract, it is supposed to be a fun, loving, and pleasurable experience between two consenting adults. Any person, male or female, is entitled to change their mind and is not required to offer an explanation... NO MEANS NO!

6. Women lie about being raped

Refer to #1. Certainly, men and women lie about being raped. However, far more rapes do not get reported at all. The statistics on false rape reports is no higher than the statistics of other falsely reported crimes.

7. Having rape fantasies translates into you wanting to be raped

I have to say that I don’t quite understand this type of fantasy but to each their own. Does it stand to reason that if this is true, and I enjoy watching horror movies where people are killed, that means that I too want to be murdered?

8. Rape does not happen often on college campuses

One in five college-age women are sexually assaulted. Most of these assaults go unreported.

9. Campus rapists are always expelled

Most rapists reported are in fact never found responsible for the crime of rape and if they are found guilty, most never face charges or get off the hook on technicalities.

10. Most rapists are sent to jail

Seriously? Who believes that stuff? Please refer to #10. The majority of rapists never even see the inside of a courtroom, much less the inside of a jail cell.

11. Only women are victims of rape

Although it is significantly less likely for a man to be victimized, one in thirty-three American men will experience rape or attempted rape in his lifetime.

Sexual assault is a horrible, ugly thing and it should never be taken lightly or made to seem less important by beliefs like those above. If you have been sexually assaulted, you are not alone and if you are guilty of believing any of the nonsense in this article - you need to reframe your way of thinking. Be a better person than that.