SEXUAL VIOLENCE:
MEN&BOYS
Men are the least likely to report being assaulted though they make up 10% of all victims.
An estimated 1.5 million U.S. men have experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
REACTIONS & FEELINGS AFTER AN ASSAULT
If you have experienced sexual violence, you could be going through a wide variety of emotions such as anger, sadness, or rage. You may also experience difficulties in personal relationships. It is normal to feel any number of things at any given times.
There are many misconceptions about men and sexual violence because of the messages society or culture tells us about what it means to be a man. You should know:
-
Anyone can be sexually assaulted- including men and boys. Sexual violence crosses all demographic boundaries.
-
Sexual assault is never the victim's fault. Being a victim of sexual assault does not mean one is weak.
Systems of supports are available for men including medical care, counseling, peer support groups, social services, police and the criminal courts and civil court remedies.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual violence, call 1-888-772-PCAR in Pennsylvania or the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Intimate partner violence (IPV) involves a range of violent acts such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Men are affected by IPV from both male and female partners. Studies show that 1 in 7 men have experienced severe IPV from a partner in their lifetime (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2010).
Tactics used by a sexually-abusive partner include:
-
Using drugs or alcohol to force you into unwanted sexual activity.
-
Telling you to do sexual activities in order to "prove" that you are a man.
-
Commenting on, Touching, groping or grabbing body parts in a sexual way when you do not want them to.
ADULT SURVIVOR OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Recovering from sexual abuse that occurred as a child can be difficult. Abusers often blame the survivor, threaten or bribe the child into not speaking up or convince the child that he will not be believed. For many, it takes years to understand what happened and realize that it was not their fault. The reactions of each survivor are different, but common responses to child sexual abuse include:
-
Depression
-
Low self-esteem
-
Feelings of shame and guilt
-
Anxiety or panic attacks
-
Aggression
-
Uncontrolled anger
-
Nightmares/sleep disturbances/disorders
-
Relationship difficulties
-
Flashbacks
-
Drug and alcohol abuse
It is important to remember that it is never too late to seek help. You can help to manage the affects the abuse may have had on your life.
HELP & RESOURCES
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape:
Founded in 1975, PCAR works to end sexual violence and advocate for the rights and needs of sexual assault victims.
PCAR partners with a network of rape crisis programs to bring help, hope and healing around issues of sexual violence to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PCAR assures that communities have access to quality victim services and prevention education by providing funding, training, materials and assistance to rape crisis programs and resources and training on sexual assault-related issues to professionals across the Commonwealth. PCAR works with media and protections and services to victims of sexual violence, holds offenders accountable, and enhances community safety.
To learn more about sexual violence or to locate rape crisis centers on PA, visit www.pcar.org or call 1-888-772-PCAR (7227).
National Sexual Violence Resource Center:
Founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape in 2000, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center identifies, develops and disseminates resources regarding all aspects of sexual violence prevention and intervention. For information and resources on sexual violence and prevention, visit www.nsvrc.org.
Advocates for Youth: For information on a range of issues such as how to become an activist and peer leader, resources on heathy sexuality and sexual violence prevention, go to www.advocatesforyouth.org.
1 in 6: 1 in 6 helps men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives. The organization provides information and support resources on the web and in the community. Visit http://1in6.org for more information.
MaleSurvivor: MaleSurvivor is committed to preventing, healing, and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men through support, treatment, research, education, advocacy, and activism. Visit www.malesurvivor.org to learn more.
Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual child Abuse: This book by Mike Lew examines the changing cultural activities toward male survivors of incest and other sexual trauma. The publication offers compassionate and practical advice to survivors.
Past sexual assault
If you were sexually assaulted or raped in the past, this experience could still be affecting you and your health. Consider contacting your local rape crisis center for counseling and support. Go to www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html to learn more.
Help is available
To talk to someone at your local rape crisis center, call 1-888-772-7227 in Pennsylvania, or call the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673 from anywhere in the U.S.
To make a report of suspected child abuse in Pennsylvania, call CHILDLINE at 1-800-932-0313 or call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 from anywhere in the U.S. to learn how to make a report in your states. You can also visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway at www.childwelfare.gov for more information.