Sexual Victimization of Males
"Approximately one in six boys is sexually abused before age 16."
Conservative estimate of incidents involving physical contact in the U.S. and Canada.
- Dr. Jim Hopper, Ph.D.
Often overlooked is the male rape victim. However, male rape is being reported more and more frequently and more victims are seeking psychological counseling. There is some stigmatization that only gay men are raped.
THIS IS A MYTH! Although gay men are often targeted and raped because of their sexual orientation, heterosexual men are also raped.
Most men who do seek counseling do not do so based upon an incident of rape, but often disclosure of the rape will come out in the course of counseling. Those who do seek counseling as a direct result of rape often struggle with shame and the belief that men 'should be able to ward off sexual assaults.' It is an affront to their 'maleness' to have experienced such a powerless and humiliating experience.
Male survivors have as much right as anyone else to begin the process of healing from sexual assault. Whether it took place in their childhood or as a young or older adult, counseling is available. Being a male victim of sexual assault does not infer weakness or that you deserved it; it does mean that someone violated and took advantage of you.
The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention provides counseling specific to the needs of male victims and is dedicated to the well-being of all victims, both male and female.