Sexual assault and rape are crimes that also affect men: the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network states that one in 33 men have been victims of sexual assault. However, a problem with the statistics is that men also report less than female victims. This stems from society's view of how a man must ask, and misconceptions about rape and sexual assault. Unfortunately, many male survivors do not seek help or legal action for fear of how people will react. Victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape, both female and male, should always remember that it is not their fault.
Misconception: Men Only Assault Men
It is not true that only men assault men. The New Britain Sexual Assault Crisis Service's Counselor Advocate Training Manual states that men can be assaulted by men and women. Remember, rape is defined as unwanted sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, the majority of assaults against men are perpetrated by men: the Counselor Advocate Training Manual notes that “more than 86 percent of male survivors are sexually abused by another male.”
Another misconception regarding males assaulting males is that the rape makes the victim gay. Also not true. The Counselor Advocate Training Manual states that “rape is primarily prompted by anger or a desire to harm, intimidate or dominate, rather than by sexual attraction or a rapist's assumption about his intended victim's sexual preference.” Furthermore, the perpetrators are often straight men; it is rare for a gay man to rape a heterosexual man.
Misconception: These Rapes Happen Only in Prisons
Prison rape is a serious problem: the Counselor Advocate Training Manual states that between 14 and 28 percent of male prisoners are sexually assaulted. However, men can be assaulted in any environment, especially in outdoor remote areas or while hitchhiking. The perpetrator can be someone the victim knows, such as a friend, relative, teacher, clergy member or boss; strangers can also the assailants, though the Counselor Advocate Training Manual adds that “these situations tend to be more violent and more often involve a group of attackers rather than a single offender.”
Misconception: Men Who Were Raped Become Rapists
This is absolutely not true. As the Counselor Advocate Training Manual states, “this is a destructive myth that often adds to the anxiety a male survivor feels after being assault. Because of this misinformation, it is common for a male survivor to fear that he is now destined to do to others what was done to him. While many convicted sex offenders have a history of being sexually abused, most male survivors do not become offenders.” Men who have been assaulted should not worry about being perpetrators themselves.
Source:
The New Britain Sexual Assault Crisis Service's Counselor Advocate Training Manual, with some information in the manual provided by Men Can Stop Rape's Resources for Male Survivors.
Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch - Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch is a recent graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in ...
