Multicolored signs displaying statistics, facts and myths of rape were posted on the walls of the Pollock Cultural Lounge Tuesday night as a part of "Dispelling the Myths of Rape" presentation.
Sigma Lambda Beta and the Multicultural Business Society jointly hosted the evening to dispel myths of rape and "to make people aware of their personal view on rape ... for people to introspect on their views of rape," Christian Nunez, Sigma Lambda Beta community service chairman, said.
Kimberly Menard, a senior lecturer in the crime, law and justice department spoke to an audience of about twenty students about the prevalence of rape, common myths of rape and the impact of rape on victims.
"This is a crime that is far more common than people realize. College campuses are a place where we see even higher rates of rape and sexual assault," Menard said.
Menard said low rates of report were mostly due to myths about rape.
One of the myths for women victims was, "any healthy woman can resist a rapist if she wants to."
"On average men are larger than women. The average male can hold down the average female just by virtue of size," Menard said.
One of the myths for male victims was, "women can't force men to have a sex."
"A gun is a great equalizer, let's put it that way," Menard said.
Another myth that was addressed several times throughout the night was of false allegations and women claiming rape if they changed their mind about consent later.
"False allegations of rape don't occur any more than false allegations of any other crime -- only about 2% of the time. Most of the time when they do lie, it's been to protect someone else," Menard said.
Students who attended the event said they thought it was an important topic to address and agreed they had learned something.
Jonathan Sandoval, Sigma Lambda Beta social chair, said he thought the statistics presented were "astonishing."
"I think it was really effective. It was information the community should know and it definitely should be presented around campus because it is something that happens often and the community should know," Sandoval (senior-criminal justice).
The evening was concluded with a group discussion about the information presented throughout the evening.
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