Male Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Assault

     

Any male can be the victim of sexual assault, regardless of age, class, race, disability or sexual orientation. Although few men expect to be raped, it happens more than most people realise.  Approximately one in twelve adults seen by Sexual Assault Services are men.

Thousands of men are raped each year, yet only a fraction of these assaults are reported.  Male rape is one of the most under reported of crimes; male rape survivors are among the most under-served crime victims. In our society, enormous stigma is associated with being the victim of sexual assault. Survivors of sexual assault frequently encounter unsupportive or even hostile reactions from the criminal justice system, social service providers, family friends and lovers.

As a result, male survivors of sexual assault too often suffer the enormous trauma that rape can create in isolation and silence, trying to forget that the assault ever happened.

The related information pages on this website covers information specific to men who have experienced sexual assault and rape. If you have any questions or would like to talk further with a counsellor at Laurel House please feel free to contact us.