Male Rape and Sexual Assault
In the UK, SurvivorsUK is the longest established service available to support male victims of sexual violence. Since its founding in in 1986, SurvivorsUK has offered national helpline and London-based counselling and group therapy services to both male survivors and those who support them.
In a report, "Silent Suffering - Supporting the Male Victims of Sexual Assault" it was estimated, that in a four year period, there were more than 670,000 men affected by sexual violence and the majority were the least likely to report or come forward for help. Some of the reasons for this, was the reaction and treatment they received from services such as the Police, but mainly because it was felt they had no where to go, and in reality, services available for Male Victims is more limited than for females. There are only a handful of specialist organisations available to male victims of sexual violence in the UK. But a larger issue which needs addressing is male victims feeling tha the attitudes towards male victims of sexual violence, acts to silence them.
The World Health Organization has identified sexual violence against men and boys as a significant problem that has been largely ignored by nongovernmental organizations, health care providers, government agencies, criminal justice authorities, and others. The violations can take many forms, including rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, enforced nudity, and being forced to perform sexual acts with others. Very commonly, sexual violence against men is committed in situations of detention.
Rape and sexual abuse are devastating experiences for anyone who has experienced them, regardless of their sex, sexual identity or gender will face many of the same challenges and barriers. Shame, guilt and trauma are also inevitably thrown into the mix. For male survivors, they experience some unique challenges that act as additional barriers to engagement and seeking help.
Society also has given an perspective, where Men should be able to withstand and endure terrible circumstances. From infancy, males are told that they should strive to be masculine, resilient, self-sufficient, dominant in sexual interactions and able to defend both themselves and those relying on them for protection. An experience of rape or sexual abuse contravenes all of these expectations. In essence, it leaves the survivor feeling ‘less than a man'.
The rape and sexual abuse of men and boys continue to be difficult and under-discussed issue that can leave devastating effects on an individuals life. Until we are able to embrace this difficult conversation on a public level and to shatter some of the myths that surround these crimes, that is unlikely to change.
Resources for male victims of sexual violence
National Male Survivors Helpline: 0808 800 5005
Rape Crisis England & Wales member Centres that provide services for boys and/or men
Survivors West Yorkshire (SWP) has produced A Self Help Guide for Males Who Have Been Sexually Abused, which you can download here. SWP also runs Ben's Place, a free confidential specialist virtual support and developing counselling service for male victim – survivors of sexual abuse – violence from any community in West Yorkshire.
Men's Advice Line - For men experiencing domestic violence or sexual violence
https://www.nextstepcounselling.org/index.htm US-based on-line support and resources for male survivors
https://www.survivorsmanchester.org.uk/
1in6 For Men whose lives have been affected by Unwanted or Abusive Sexual Experiences
https://thesurvivorstrust.org/
https://www.malesurvivor.org/index.php
Please feel free to add international resources!
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@dancingRainbow45 This is an amazing post. Thank you.
@Hoxenos Your most welcome 