Definition of Male Sexual Abuse:
Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 13 boys in the US experience sexual abuse at some time in their childhood.1 And the American National Center for PTSD states that at least 1 in 10 men in our country will experience sexual assault at some point in their life.2 This means that sexual trauma can occur beyond childhood.
These numbers are worrisome because male victims often underreport being sexually abused and are also significantly less likely to ever disclose. On average, a male survivor will take longer to disclose sexual abuse than a female survivor, if they disclose at all.3
Stigma
The stigma has gotten so powerful that there is currently a push to replace the term “therapy” with words like consultation, meeting, coaching, or discussion for males just so they are more open to talking about their trauma.
Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
Behavioral
Physical
Emotional
Some of these signs might not be as obvious as others.
Common Symptoms in Adult Male Survivors
Resources for Male Survivors
The following websites have resources that are tailored specifically toward male survivors:
1in6
MaleSurvivor
MenHealing
Survivors and Mates Support Network
Living Well
Myths and Facts About Male Sexual Abuse
In conclusion, if you are a male survivor of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual violence, you are not alone. Seeking help or disclosing abuse DOES NOT make you any “less of a man”. Even if you feel like you weren’t affected that much or at all, it’s okay to take the time to process what happened. You, a male survivor, can work through your traumatic experiences. Healing is possible.