Myths & facts
The truth, plainly told.
Myths about violence against women and girls keep survivors silent and let harm continue. Here are the facts: national figures from trusted sources, with no graphic descriptions. Read at your own pace, and leave whenever you need to.
The numbers
This is bigger than most people realise.
Behind every number is a person. We share these figures because the scale of violence against women and girls is part of why survivor-led support matters, and because naming it honestly is the first step to changing it.
1 in 4 women
have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult.
Source: Rape Crisis England & Wales
1.6 million women
are estimated to experience domestic abuse in a single year in England and Wales.
Source: Office for National Statistics, Crime Survey for England and Wales
5 in 6 women
who are raped do not report it to the police. Disbelief and shame keep survivors silent. Belief changes that.
Source: Rape Crisis England & Wales
6 in 7 rapes
against women are committed by someone the victim knows, not a stranger.
Source: Rape Crisis England & Wales
3 years
is how long, on average, victims live with domestic abuse before getting the help they need.
Source: SafeLives
Every 3 days
a woman is killed by a man in the UK. This is why prevention, education and early support matter.
Source: Femicide Census
Myth vs fact
The myths that keep survivors silent.
Most of us grew up hearing these. They are wrong, and they do real harm: to survivors deciding whether to speak, and to everyone deciding whether to believe them.
“It’s usually a stranger.”
The fact: 6 in 7 rapes against women are committed by someone the victim knows: a partner, ex-partner, friend, colleague or family member.
“She was drinking. Look what she was wearing.”
The fact: Nothing anyone wears, drinks or does causes violence. Responsibility lies with the person who chose to cause harm, entirely, every time.
“If it really happened, she would have fought back.”
The fact: Freezing is one of the most common responses to assault: a recognised, involuntary survival response. Not fighting back proves nothing except that a person was afraid.
“Women often make it up.”
The fact: False allegations are rare. The far bigger problem is the opposite: most survivors never feel safe enough to tell anyone at all.
“Abuse means bruises.”
The fact: Domestic abuse includes coercive control, emotional abuse, financial control, stalking and online abuse. Coercive control has been a criminal offence in England and Wales since 2015.
“Why doesn’t she just leave?”
The fact: Leaving is often the most dangerous moment in an abusive relationship, and abuse is designed to make leaving feel impossible. The right question is: why does he abuse, and how do we help her safely?
Sources
Where these figures come from.
Every figure on this page comes from the national organisations and official statistics below. Each link opens the source so you can read further.
Rape Crisis England & Wales
Statistics on rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse, and a full myth-busting guide.
Read their statisticsSafeLives
National data about domestic abuse, and how long it takes victims to get effective help.
See their dataOffice for National Statistics
The official annual overview of domestic abuse in England and Wales, from the Crime Survey.
Read the ONS overviewFor survivors
If any of this is your story, you are not alone.
These numbers are heavy to read, especially if they describe something you have lived. Whatever happened, and whenever it happened, it was not your fault. Our support is free, confidential and led by people who understand.