Recent high-profile sexual assault allegations against celebrities like Donald Trump, Danny Masterson, and Russell Brand have become focal points for a recurring narrative that challenges survivors based on their perceived reactions: the notion that their reports are less valid because they did not fight back or scream at the time of the assault, or came forward after a significant delay. These misconceptions reinforce the need to confront again the deeply ingrained biases that plague discussions surrounding sexual assault.
We spoke with Dr. Zoë Peterson, Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute and one of the foremost experts on sexual aggression, about the public commentary that has followed accusations against these public figures.
The Myth of the “Real Rape” Reaction
One prevalent misconception recurring in public commentary on these cases is the belief that if a victim does not exhibit immediate resistance, such as kicking and screaming during the assault, it is not a genuine rape or sexual assault. However, research indicates that individuals’ responses to traumatic situations can vary substantially. “We can all try and put ourselves in their position and imagine what we would do, but I think until you’re in a traumatic situation, no one knows how they will behave,” said Peterson.
Common Reactions of Sexual Assault Victims
Peterson explained that there is no single “typical” response or behavior exhibited by sexual assault victims. While some victims do fight back, research suggests that disassociation and passivity are also common responses—particularly when victims realize they lack the power to stop the assault. Peterson says, “it is quite a common trauma response to freeze rather than fight.” Fear and surprise often overwhelm victims. Confusion and the unexpected nature of the assault may also leave them with little time to react or process what is happening.
Delayed Reporting and Victim Stigma
Online commenters have pointed to the delayed reporting of sexual assaults to cast doubt on victims. However, statistics suggest that the vast majority of sexual assaults are never formally reported to authorities, with some estimates indicating that only 5% or fewer are reported. Victims often face significant stigma, as society tends to blame them for not responding in expected ways. Fear of being blamed, lack of faith in the justice system, and the potential distress in reliving the traumatic event that comes with reporting can discourage victims from coming forward immediately.
Recognizing and Acknowledging the Assault
Victims can also delay reporting because they may not initially recognize their experiences as sexual assault. Society’s tendency to associate rapists with strangers wielding weapons further complicates victims’ recognition of their own experiences. “Often the assailant is someone they knew and thought they trusted,” says Peterson. “That can lead victims to think they’re misperceiving this or maybe this isn’t really an assault.”
When a celebrity is involved, the power dynamic complicates the victim response further. “For many of these women, they may have thought, well, these are famous, successful men. Those aren’t the kind of men who rape,” said Peterson. It may take time, education, and validation from trusted individuals before victims come to recognize that what happened to them constitutes sexual assault.
Sexual Coercion and Recognizing It as Assault
Sexual coercion, which falls short of illegal sexual assault but which is often considered part of the same continuum of behavior, frequently goes unrecognized by society. While explicitly non-consensual acts are typically classified as illegal in the US, there exists a range of behaviors leading up to those acts that involve sex without freely given consent but which cannot be criminally prosecuted.
Victims may succumb to sex under pressure or manipulation, especially when power dynamics are at play. Peterson commented, “Of course, coercion can happen outside of power relationships too. Partners can pressure each other in all kinds of ways. They can tell each other lies. They can threaten to spread rumors about each other if they don’t have sex. But I think if you take that pressure and you add on the dynamics of an interaction with a powerful public figure, the pressure becomes even harder to resist.” Recognizing and acknowledging these subtler forms of coercion is essential for creating a culture that respects freely given consent.
It’s Vital to Continue to Debunk False Myths About Rape
Challenging misconceptions surrounding reactions to sexual assault is crucial for creating a more supportive and understanding environment for survivors. By debunking the myths of the “real rape” as a violent attack by a deranged stranger, by acknowledging the wide range of victim responses and the barriers to reporting, and by recognizing the complexities of sexual coercion, we can foster empathy, compassion, and informed discussions around this critical issue and work towards a society that prioritizes consent and respects survivors’ experiences. It is our collective responsibility to educate ourselves, challenge harmful beliefs, and support survivors, while working towards a future free from sexual violence.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Kinsey Institute’s Sexual Assault Research Initiative studies sexual aggression, perpetrators, and victim experiences.
Studies by Dr. Peterson on the continuum of sexual violence and its impact on victims:
- From Freewill to Force: Examining Types of Coercion and Psychological Outcomes in Unwanted Sex
- Psychological Symptoms Associated with Sexual Victimization Experiences: Differences as a Function of the Type and Number of Sexual Acts and Aggressive Tactics
Studies on the “Freeze” Response to Sexual Assault:
- Victim Reactions During Rape/Sexual Assault: A Preliminary Study of the Immobility Response and Its Correlates
- The Reality of Tonic Immobility in Victims of Sexual Violence: “I was Paralyzed, I Couldn’t Move”
Studies on why women do not report or delay reporting Sexual Assault:
- A Match-and-Motivation Model of How Women Label Their Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences (Dr. Peterson)
- Correlates of Reasons for Not Reporting Rape to Police: Results From a National Telephone Household Probability Sample of Women With Forcible or Drug-or-Alcohol Facilitated/Incapacitated Rape
- Barriers to Reporting Sexual Victimization: Prevalence and Correlates among Undergraduate Women