AI: Why People Struggle to Believe SA Survivors
At GOTU, we believe that consideration for sexual assault (aka sexual violation) survivorship must be baked into everyday resources and technologies. The emergence in popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) led us to research some of the top tools and co-author information regarding this serious matter. Information in this post is per OpenAI’s ChatGPT v3.5.
People often struggle to believe sexual assault survivors because of deep-rooted cultural, psychological, and systemic factors—many of which are sustained by centuries of misinformation, patriarchal power structures, and societal denial. To understand this disbelief, we must first understand the history of rape culture: a society in which sexual violence is normalized, trivialized, or excused, and where survivors are blamed more often than perpetrators are held accountable.
Historically, many legal systems treated women and marginalized people as property. Rape was not considered a crime against the individual but a crime against a father or husband’s “honor.” Survivors were often required to prove their resistance—both physically and reputationally—to be taken seriously. This gave rise to damaging myths that persist today: that “real” victims scream, report immediately, and have no prior connection to the offender. As a result, survivors who deviate from these narrow expectations—those who freeze in fear, wait to disclose, or were assaulted by someone they know—are often met with skepticism or outright disbelief.
In modern society, these attitudes live on through subtle and overt expressions. Victim-blaming (“Why was she drinking?” “Why didn’t he leave?”), the overestimation of false reports (which remain rare at 2–10%), and the presumption that an accused person’s status or demeanor makes them incapable of harm all contribute to a culture where survivors are doubted, silenced, or punished for speaking out.
Disbelief also comes from psychological discomfort. Accepting that someone has been assaulted—especially by a peer, family member, or public figure—can shatter people’s sense of safety, morality, or control. Many find it easier to question the survivor’s credibility than to confront a harsh, destabilizing reality. In this way, disbelief becomes a defense mechanism—protecting the listener from guilt, cognitive dissonance, or the need to take action.
Power dynamics play a significant role as well. Institutions—like schools, churches, corporations, or governments—often work to discredit survivors to protect their own reputations. The more powerful the alleged offender, the harder it is for survivors to be believed. Intersectional factors—such as race, class, gender identity, or disability—further complicate this, as survivors from marginalized backgrounds are disproportionately disbelieved or criminalized.
Believing survivors often feels threatening to existing systems. It demands that we re-examine authority, challenge norms, and confront uncomfortable truths about who holds power and how that power is abused. It also requires that we look inward—at the ways we may have ignored red flags, stayed silent, or failed to support someone in need.
But believing survivors is essential. It’s a first step toward justice, accountability, and healing—not only for individuals, but for communities and cultures. It creates space for truth to be heard and for cycles of violence to be broken. It affirms survivors’ dignity and restores their agency in a world that so often strips it away.
Dismantling rape culture begins by challenging disbelief. We must replace it with empathy, education, and a collective commitment to listen—really listen—to those who have survived what should never have happened to them in the first place.
Disclaimer: This blog post was written with the use of ChatGPT v3.5, an OpenAI chat bot and virtual assistant that uses learning language models (LLMs). Content in this post is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice or consultation with healthcare professionals. Seek the advice of medical, trauma informed and/or other health care professionals regarding any condition or treatment and never disregard or delay treatment because of content that has been either read or seen on this website.