When Men Are Sexually Assaulted

Male sexual assault victims need the same support, empathy, validation and opportunities to reestablish trust and safety as women do. Most male victims were assaulted by a known and trusted figure. Because sexual assault is about power, and men are socialized to define themselves in terms of how much power they have, sexual assault can be especially traumatic and disempowering. Men are not socialized to freely express feelings of grief, bewilderment and fear.

The survivor needs good information about support services available. It is up to the survivor to determine if they are ready or able to proceed with the justice system, before they make any decisions.

The survivor will need an environment where they feel safe, secure, and able to disclose when they are ready. This may be a family member, friend or counsellor. There are groups available that provide a safe environment for male survivors to talk to each other.