Sexual assault is a crime of violence.  
It is motivated by a need to control and overpower, 
rather than by sexual urges. There are many things 
that contribute to sexual assault. 	

1.Women and men have different views about 
sexuality.

For women sex and romance often go together.  Some women just 
want to be close and enjoy kissing and cuddling. Some men tend 
to see kissing and cuddling as a means to intercourse. 

2.Women and men have been socialized differently.
Women may be more passive and dependent. Men are socialized 
to be aggressive and view sex as an achievement that makes 
them feel like a man. Men believe that it is their right to 
"score." These stereotypes  are reinforced through the media 
and society.

3.False Beliefs.
Many people believe the myths that contribute to assault. 
These myths are reinforced through the media and society.

4.Sexual assault is unexpected.
If a young woman is with someone that she knows she may not 
view the situation as dangerous.  If she does feel uneasy 
about her partner's behaviour she is more likely to 
dismiss it.  

5.Mixed signals in communication.
Men and women are not taught to talk openly about their 
sexual desires or limits. Men may think that if a woman 
dresses in a certain way or pays a lot of attention to him, 
she is signalling  sexual availability while she thinks she 
is merely being friendly.  Men may also believe that if a 
woman likes kissing and cuddling , she must also want to 
have  intercourse, when this is not what the woman intended 
at all.

6.Lack of consequences.
The majority of sexual assault is not reported.

7.Links to Pornography.
Some studies indicate that pornography increases the acceptance 
of violence against women.  It presents women as objects and 
maintains the myths that women find rape sexually exciting.