'Vast majority of rapists are walking free' - Leeds charity busts common myths surrounding the crime

Ella* was talking about her response to reactions from certain people - including a detective - after she was assaulted by a man she met through an online dating app. She said: “The detective said, ‘if you’re going to be dating, you need to be more careful - you shouldn’t be going to a man’s house’. “I remember at the time, all the #MeToo stuff was starting. It had made me think about the way we talk about, and to, victims and it really angered me, because stuff like that only perpetuates the narrative that it is a woman’s fault if something happens to her." Many myths and misconceptions over rape still remain today, most of which are driven by a combination of media reports, cultural references and general ignorance, according to charities. Katie Russell is a co-founder of Support After Rape and Sexual Violence in Leeds (SARSVL), and also works for its umbrella organisation Rape Crisis England & Wales. She said: "Sexual offences have been taboo for so long, and for understandable reasons they can be considered really private crimes. "We can't ignore the gendered nature of sex crimes. Obviously, boys and men experience sexual violence as well and it's no less traumatic or terrible, but the overwhelming number of sexual offences happen to women by men. "Sexism and misogyny are sadly ingrained into society and culture. Ideas about how women should behave still come into it when we talk about rape and assault, as do myths about men's desires and needs. The idea they somehow have greater sexual needs only infantilises men and excuses them. The idea you aren't in control of your own behaviours is incredibly insulting. "We haven't talked enough about sexual violence and because of this, victims and survivors have felt very alone and even at times to blame, which couldn't be more wrong." The YEP put some common myths about rape and sexual assault to Katie - here is what she said. People who go out drinking or wear provocative clothes should shoulder some responsibility if they are sexually assaulted "I think, for most people, if a friend had been out drinking and was mugged or beaten up, people would blame the perpetrator. The fact some people take this view is a horrific example of the way sexism has been deeply rooted in society. "Obviously, we should all watch our alcohol intake for various different reasons. But if someone is incapacitated by alcohol or drugs, then they are inhibited by law to give consent to sex." In England and Wales, legal guidelines state a person cannot give proper consent to sex when intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. It's only rape if you are forced into sex and put up a struggle "An important thing to remember is that when we are traumatised or in shock or afraid, human bodies very often freeze," Katie said. "In situations of danger, there are actually five 'f's - fight, flight, freeze, flop or friend. A lot of work we do at Rape Crisis is supporting victims who feel they should have fought back and feel betrayed by their bodies. "In this country, by law you do not need to have physical injuries to have shouted 'no' to have been raped." A lot of rape victims lie about what happened for attention or to get back at someone Katie said the myth that many victims make up their accounts is "the most damaging" and the reason so many do not report to the police. "Only around 15-20 per cent of rape victims report to the police. You don't need a maths GCSE to work out that the vast majority of rapists are walking free without a sniff of justice. "People have to understand that to go through the process of reporting rape and, if it gets to that stage, a trial, it can be incredibly traumatic. There are the invasive inspections, questions, having your phone confiscated, Some investigations can go on as long as two years. The idea someone would put themselves through that, as well as the potential social repercussions, just out of jealousy or for attention is baffling. "Just because someone backs out of the criminal procedure, the person they accused isn't charged or they are acquitted in court, it doesn't mean they are lying." Women can be just as bad as men - men are victims too "Men and boys experience sexual violence too and it is no less serious or complex," said Katie. "But statistically, the overwhelming majority of sexual violence is perpetrated by men against women." In England and Wales, the law currently defines rape as penetration by a penis. Katie added: "Women can be perpetrators of sexual assault, but you have to have a penis to commit rape." Men from particular ethnic backgrounds are more likely to be rapists than others "People of all ethnicities and backgrounds can be perpetrators of sexual violence", Katie said. "Statistically, in this country there are more white men than men of any other ethnicity, and therefore the majority of sexual offenders are white men. "We often see groups hijack the issue of sexual violence, such as South Asian grooming gangs, and make these distressing cases about race. "It's important we don't exploit the experiences of victims because that can create further barriers to people reporting it." Superintendent Sareth Humpage of West Yorkshire Police, said:“Rape is an abhorrent crime and we work to ensure that investigations are thorough, open and transparent. “Cases are often difficult and complex and for this reason they are investigated by specially trained detectives in order to deliver the best care and service we can. “We also work very closely with victim services to provide support for individuals throughout the criminal justice journey. “It must be stressed that rape offences are treated extremely seriously by West Yorkshire Police, and we are striving to improve and achieve the best possible outcome for each victim. “We also acknowledge the significant increase in reports and can state that dealing with this is a priority for the Force.”