In the above scenario, there are many facts and myths.

Moonless night

Many believe that sexual assault only happens outside and at night, but according to John Hamlin, director of graduate studies – criminology at the University of Minnesota Duluth, sexual assault can and does happen anytime and anyplace. Many occur during the day and in the victim’s home.

Strange man in an alley

According to the Rape Abuse Incest National Network Web site, 73 percent of sexual assaults and two-thirds of rape victims knew the perpetrator. The site also states more than 50 percent of all reported rape and sexual assault incidents occurred within one mile of the victim’s home or at the victim’s home.

According to Hamlin, sex offenders are not physically identifiable they may appear friendly, normal and non-threatening. Many are young, married and have children.

Quarter after 1

According to the RAINN Web site, 43 percent of rapes occur between 6 p.m. and midnight, and another 33 percent take place between 6 a.m. and 6 pm., meaning only 24 percent occur between midnight and 6 a.m.

About 40 years old, Hispanic

Eighty percent of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 30. Statically, those 12 to 34 years old are at the highest risk, according to RAINN, while about 80 percent of all victims are white, minorities are somewhat more likely to be attacked.

‘‘Offenders act without considering their victims physical appearance, dress, age, race, gender or social status,” Hamlin said. ‘‘Assailants seek out victims that they perceive to be vulnerable.”

‘Look at how she is dressed’

‘‘The way the woman dresses and or acts doesn’t influence the rapist’s choice of victim,” Hamlin said. ‘‘Offenders are looking for available and vulnerable targets. Sexual assault is the responsibility of the offender alone. Opportunity is the most important factor determining when a given rapist will rape.”

‘‘Besides, he could feel the passion rising inside him.”

‘‘Sexual assault is an act of violence, not passion. It is an attempt to hurt and humiliate, using sex as a weapon,” Hamlin said. ‘‘Rape is a lot more than an unwanted sex act, it is a violent crime. Rape is experienced by the victims as an act of violence. It is life-threatening experience. While sexual attraction may be present - influential, power, control and anger are primary motives.”

This wasn’t the first time

‘‘Most offenders assault again, and again, and again - until they get caught,” Hamlin said.

Last time it was a man

Many believe that men can not be a victim of sexual assault or only gay men can be assaulted, but according to Hamlin, that is not the case.

‘‘There were approximately 20,000 sexual assaults of males ages 12 and over in the United States in 1991,” he said. ‘‘The majority of male sexual assault victims, as well as their attackers, are heterosexual. Male assault is not homosexual rape.”

According to the RAINN Web site, about 3 percent of American men, or one in 33, experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. In 2003, one in every 10 rape victims was male, and 2.78 million men in the states were victims of sexual assault or rape.

Sexual assault doesn’t happen very often

There were 272,350 victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault on persons 13 years old and older in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey. That means someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every two minutes.

The Marine Corps has instituted prevention methods to help ensure military members do not become victims.

According to the Marine Corps Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office’s official Web site, Marines need to travel with a buddies and stay in groups. Outings should be planned to avoid bad situations. The Corps also advises Marines to introduces their dates to roommates and or friends before going out and telling those comrades them an anticipated return time. If it is a first date, leathernecks are encouraged to drive their own transportation and meet dates at the location during daylight hours.

Situational awareness is stressed the most.

For any assistance concerning sexual assault, call Maj. Cherrone A. Hester, Quantico’s installation sexual assault response coordinator at (703) 784-5902 during working hours or (703) 898-9863 after working hours.