CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
There is more fallout from after a Missouri Congressman made controversial comments about rape.
The words of Representative Todd Akin have been drawing fire from both Republicans and Democrats all week. During a televised interview he said, "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."
There are now calls for Akin to pull out of the Missouri Senate race, but the Congressman says he will stay in and fight for a win.
His comments are sparking a conversation nationwide and in the Charlotte area. WBTV went to United Family Services, which provides services for rape and sexual assault victims, to separate fact from fiction.
"One in four women will be raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime and one in six men will be. That's huge if you do the math in Mecklenburg County," said Amanda Wilson with United Family Services.
Wilson says rape is a problem in our community and way under-reported.
She looks at the Akin comments as a chance to educate, starting with the myth that raped women are unlikely to get pregnant. In reality, the odds of getting pregnant are the same with consensual sex, around five-percent, according to RAINN.
"Unfortunately, that is a myth that is perpetuated in our society," said Wilson.
Another big myth: people lie about getting raped. That's false. National studies and the FBI put false reports between three and eight-percent.
Wilson says that number is especially small considering how many rapes go unreported, around 50-percent.
To talk to a counselor at United Family Services, call their rape hotline at 704-375-9900.
As for Akin, we can all agree his comments put a very private crime back into a very public discussion.
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