Verified by 
Sexual Abuse
Male Sexual Abuse Survivors: Are We Doing Enough?
We need more research leading to programs and policies to help male victims
Posted February 23, 2019
On February 13, 2019, Roman Catholic Bishops in New Jersey identified nearly 200 priests accused of sexually abusing a child. The evidence is credible; however, most of those named are deceased since the alleged abuse took place decades ago. However, it is a steadfast reminder that this remains a serious concern that warrants immediate attention.
I addressed this issue in a September 2018 publication after the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office released their findings that nearly 1,000 children were victimized by predator priests over the course of several decades. My purpose was not just to shed light on these horrific crimes, but to persuade lawmakers that the statute of limitations on such crimes should be amended and the time in which a victim can come forward be extended.
My purpose today is not to delve into clergy abuse, which is seemingly widespread and quite extensive, but rather to focus on the victims of sexual abuse, specifically that of male survivors. Male survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at an increased risk of developing a wide range of medical, psychological, behavioral, and sexual disorders. Research studies have outlined the extensive short- and long-term effects of childhood sexual victimization. For example, sexual victimization can lead to a host of troublesome psychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse and dependence, depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior.
Sexually abused children are nearly twice as likely to run away from home, which is not surprising since 90 percent of all child sexual abuse victims know their abuser and want to escape the abuse. As many as 40 percent of all victims were victimized by an older child, not an adult, as was the case of Chester Bennington. These victims view their perpetrator as physically stronger and are often emotionally manipulated by the perpetrator.
Sexual Abuse Victims and Future Crime
According to the organization Darkness to Light, which I referred to in my 2018 publication, delinquency and crime are more prevalent in males who have experienced sexual abuse in their childhood. In fact, male adolescents who were sexually abused are three to five times more likely to engage in delinquency. Behavioral problems include, but are not limited to, physical aggression, non-compliance, and oppositional defiance. This is what we refer to as “victim turned perpetrator” in which past abuse can contribute to future delinquent and criminal acts. This is not to suggest that past victims of sexual abuse will lead a future life of crime, but it does place victims at an increased risk; therefore, early intervention is critical.
A 2009 research study concluded that male prisoners have higher rates of past child sexual abuse victimization when compared to those who have never been incarcerated. Once again, this validates the notion that past childhood sexual victimization could lead to significant behavioral problems in which victimization is a pathway into criminality.
When I was an undergraduate student, I was taught that most people who have been sexually abused would become future abusers. However, the research does not support that, but rather supports the fact that most boys who are sexually abused will NOT go on to sexually abuse others.
Resources for Victims of Male Sexual Abuse
As a researcher who has worked with both perpetrators and victims of sex crimes, I can attest to the fact that there is an abundance of research on female victims of child sexual abuse, but the research focusing on male victims is quite scarce. It is thought that girls are more likely than boys to be sexually abused, so this is where researchers, including myself, have concentrated.
There is obviously a need for further research to determine what we assume to be true is actually factual. Our goal, as researchers, is to locate and shed light on the gaps within the literature. Because of the perceived stigma, many boys do not disclose past sexual abuse and when they are ready to do so, support groups specifically for male survivors are challenging to find. For example, a precursory search for, “male sexual abuse survivor groups in Pennsylvania,” (my home state) resulted in two findings, both of which were not even remotely close to my residence.
In addition to locating a support group for male survivors of sexual abuse, finding a therapist or clinician who is specifically trained and possesses specialized knowledge regarding the gender-specific issues associated with male survivors can be daunting. A visit to a therapist who lacks specialized training can make the experience far more traumatic rather than therapeutic, and could cause the survivor to withdraw further into negative coping responses such as resorting to drugs, alcohol, and sadly, suicide.
Debunking Common Myths
Part of the problem is that many people today tend to rely heavily on social media without doing their due diligence in determining what is true and what is likely an exaggeration of the truth. The organization, One in Six, shared a number of common myths that must be addressed.
MYTH: If a boy experienced sexual arousal during the abuse, he wanted and/or enjoyed it, and therefore, it is his fault.
Fact: Males can respond to sexual stimulation with an erection and even an orgasm. However, that does not suggest that they willingly welcomed the abuse or exploitation. It is simply a biological response to being sexually aroused, even if the experience is traumatic.
MYTH: Sexual abuse is less harmful to boys than to girls.
Fact: The harm caused by sexual abuse mostly depends on issues unrelated to gender including the abuser’s identity, the duration of the abuse, whether the child told anyone at the time, and, if so, whether the child was believed and helped.
MYTH: Most men who sexually abuse boys are homosexual.
Fact: Research studies to date suggest that men who have sexually abused a boy most often identify as heterosexual and often are involved in adult heterosexual relationships at the time of the abuse. There is no indication that a homosexual man is more likely to engage in sexually abusive behavior than a heterosexual man and some studies even suggest it is less likely.
MYTH: Boys abused by males must have attracted the abuse because they are homosexual.
Fact: There are conflicting theories as to how sexual orientation develops, but experts in human sexuality do not believe that sexual abuse or premature sexual experiences play a significant role. Sexual orientation is a complex issue. There is no single answer or theory that clearly explains why some identify as homosexual while others identify as heterosexual or bisexual.
MYTH: If a female used or abused a boy, he was “lucky” and if he does not feel that way, there must be something wrong with him.
Fact: In reality, premature, coerced, or otherwise abusive or exploitive sexual experiences are never positive. Female abusers often hold a position of power over their victims, such as an older sister, sister of a friend, babysitter, neighbor, aunt, or mother. At a minimum, the victimization can cause confusion and insecurity and can adversely affect trust and intimacy.
MYTH: Boys who are sexually abused will go on to abuse others.
Fact: As a professor, I encounter this one quite often from students in my courses. This myth is especially dangerous because it can create terrible fear and anxiety in boys and men who feel they must not be around children. They may not only fear becoming abusers themselves but that if others find out that they were abused, they will be seen as potentially dangerous to children. Sadly, boys and men who tell of being sexually abused are often viewed as potential perpetrators rather than as victims who need support and guidance. While it is true that some child sexual abusers were abused as children themselves, most will not go on to sexually abuse others.
Where to Get Help
For those seeking help, I would encourage you to contact RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), which is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. It also operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
