Does Intent Matter When It Comes To Sexual Violence?

Intent doesn’t matter when it comes to sexual violence. 

Sexual violence isn’t always calculated

It is a common misconception that sexual violence is calculated and that perpetrators are intending commit acts of violence. While this can be the case, perpetrators often, consciously or not, create an environment where their abuse will be tolerated, overlooked, or accepted. Oftentimes, the intent to commit assault is not a conscious thought running through the mind of a perpetrator, but the intent to get what they want, regardless of how the victim feels. 

For example, one study found that 32% of college men admitted that they would have “intentions to force a woman into sexual intercourse” if ”nobody would ever know and there wouldn’t be any consequences.’‘ Yet, only 14% admit to having “any intentions to rape a woman” under these same circumstances.¹ Many perpetrators do not view themselves as perpetrators because the words “rape” and “sexual assault” are not running through their head. As a result of numerous rape myths, there are many misconceptions regarding what sexual violence looks like, and perpetrators may not view what they have done as sexual violence.

Sexual violence is about power and oppression

Another widely held misconception about sexual violence is that it is caused by uncontrollable sexual lust and desire. In reality, sexual violence is about power and oppression. When someone forces or coerces someone into a sexual act, they are putting their desire for sexual gratification above the other person’s bodily autonomy and desires, which is a form of oppression. 

The perpetrator does not need to be having sexual thoughts about the victim in order for their actions to be an act of sexual violence. Sexual violence can be fueled entirely by hatred and maintenance of existing societal power structures such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, and the patriarchy. Acts of hazing involving nudity or sex are also forms of sexual violence.

What is going on in the mind of the perpetrator and the intent of their actions does not determine the validity of the act of sexual violence. Just because a perpetrator did not actively think, “I am going to sexually assault them,” does not mean they do not deserve to be held accountable for sexual violence, nor does it mean that survivors do not deserve support.

Sources

1. Edwards, S. R., Bradshaw, K. A., & Hinsz, V. B. (2014). Denying Rape but Endorsing Forceful Intercourse: Exploring Differences Among Responders. Violence and Gender, 1(4), 188–193. https://doi.org/10.1089/vio.2014.0022

Support Is Available

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.

Phone: 988

Chat: Click here to chat

Text: Send any message to 988

Website

National Sexual Assault Hotline

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country.

Phone: 800-656-4673
Chat: Click here to chat

Website

National Domestic Violence Hotline

We are here to serve all those impacted by relationship abuse 24/7 confidentially. Due to high demand, you may experience longer wait times to connect with a live advocate.

Phone: 800-799-7233

Text: “START” to 88788

Online chat: Click here to start chat

Website