{"id":32065,"date":"2023-04-11T15:31:39","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T19:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthymindsphilly.org\/?p=32065"},"modified":"2023-04-11T15:31:39","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T19:31:39","slug":"sexual-assault-awareness-and-male-survivors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthymindsphilly.org\/dev\/blog\/sexual-assault-awareness-and-male-survivors\/","title":{"rendered":"Sexual Assault Awareness and Male Survivors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sexual violence can impact anyone, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. Some people assume sexual assault is an issue faced only by girls and women, but sexual assault also impacts one in six boys and men.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTraditional masculinity can create barriers to accessing care both internally and externally,\u201d says Joey Brodsky, the Healthy Masculinity Coordinator at <\/span>WOAR: Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence<\/span><\/a>. \u201cBroadening our idea of survivorship to include all genders is essential to breaking cycles of harm that lead to continued violence in our homes and communities.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Myths about male survivors\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

There are a lot of harmful myths surrounding rape, sexual assault, and abuse. It is important to understand what is and isn\u2019t true so we can better support survivors.\u00a0<\/span> <\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
MYTHS<\/th>\nFACTS<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
MYTH: <\/b>Men and boys who experience sexual violence don\u2019t face the same mental and physical effects as women.<\/span><\/td>\nFACT: <\/b>Male survivors can face the same<\/span> effects of sexual assault<\/span><\/a> as other survivors. Some of these effects can be depression, flashbacks, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, substance use, panic attacks, and more.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MYTH: <\/b>More men would come forward with experiences of sexual violence if they were really that common.<\/span><\/td>\nFACT: <\/b>It can take an average of <\/span>20 years<\/span><\/a> for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse to disclose what happened to them. Survivors of all genders may face barriers that delay coming forward.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MYTH:<\/b> Sexual abuse determines sexual orientation or gender identity.<\/span><\/td>\nFACT:<\/b> A person\u2019s sexual orientation or gender identity cannot be caused by sexual abuse or assault. It is not the reason for or the result of sexual abuse.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MYTH: <\/b>Most sexual abuse of boys is perpetrated by gay men.<\/span><\/td>\nFACT:<\/b> Most sexual abuse of boys is <\/span>not <\/b>perpetrated by gay men. Perpetrators can be any sexual orientation or gender. Someone\u2019s identity <\/span>does not<\/b> make them more likely to hurt someone else.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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Supporting male survivors\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Stigma for male survivors, Brodsky explains, \u201cmight look like someone fearing they will be seen as less of a man for experiencing sexual violence or it might look like someone not being believed when they disclose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some ways we can all support someone who shares their experience of sexual assault or abuse:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n