Which of the following is NOT listed as a barrier to reporting?

• A. The belief that most rapes are committed by strangers
• B. Lack of access to counseling resources
• C. The way the victim was dressed
• D. The belief that you cannot be raped by someone you have consensual sex with

Answer: (B)

Barriers to reporting are often driven by myths and stigma that discourage survivors from coming forward. The belief that most rapes are committed by strangers creates a false image of what rape looks like; when the perpetrator is someone the survivor knows, they may doubt that what happened qualifies as rape or fear not being believed, which lowers the likelihood of reporting. The idea that you cannot be raped by someone you have consensual sex with invalidates many real experiences and makes reporting feel unnecessary or futile. Similarly, blaming or judging a survivor based on how they were dressed reinforces stigma and shame, which can silence someone from reporting.

Lack of access to counseling resources, while important for recovery and support after reporting, doesn’t directly describe a barrier to deciding to report in the moment. It relates more to what happens after reporting or seeking services, rather than the survivor’s initial decision to report. So this option isn’t typically listed as a barrier to reporting itself, even though it can affect post-report help and healing.

In short, the first, third, and fourth statements reflect beliefs and social attitudes that reduce reporting, whereas limited counseling access is a resource issue tied to post-report support rather than the act of reporting itself.