Over the course of their lifetime, 1 in 71 males may experience sexual assault (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Tewksbury (2007) suggests literature generally supports a national average of 3% of males having experiences with sexual assault. Males face higher rates of adjustment difficulties, notably hostility, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and general distress, as a result of these men not receiving psychological treatments (Aosved, Long, & Voller, 2011). A troubling finding, as male survivors are exceedingly less likely to solicit mental health treatment, as reported by Aosved, Long, and Voller (2011), and part of this lack of seeking treatment may be contributed to a lack of feeling accepted by their mental health counselor (Lab, Feigenbaum, & Desilva, 2000). All the more reason to find a counselor that is experienced in working with sexual assault of males.
Social Constructs:
In the media, and through general societal perception, men are portrayed as inherently powerful and thereby capable of protecting themselves. These extreme expectations strengthen the impression that males are not capable of being survivors of an offense solely perceived to include females. A danger in upholding general roles.
Prevalently, males are deterred from seeking support following assault as a result of societal attitudes toward the rape of males (Frazier, 1993: Gartner, 1999; Isely, 1998; Maledel, 1995; Mitchell et al., 1999; Scarce, 1997; Washington, 1999). The attempt to hide sexual victimization is a common strife for men following assault in order to avoid the negative effects of societal attitudes toward male sexual victimization. The literature indicates that underreporting of male victimization is pervasive. Seeking help may threaten a male’s self-concept as well as his masculinity (Coxell & King, 2002; Pino & Meier, 1999). For males socialized to stand alone, seeking help may culminate in compounded feelings of disgrace already experienced as a result of the assault. The possibility exists that the self-imposed belief of seeking rape crisis counseling is the perceived evidence of their weakness (Cotton & Groth, 1984).
A Place of Understanding:
To recognize the effects of sexual abuse in their male clients a counselor must first understand that sexual abuse is not a diagnosis, but an experience. There is no one specific symptom or even cluster of symptoms that can be used to indicate sexual abuse. With such a wide constellation, even symptoms that may be observed more commonly cannot be used to predict whether an individual is in an abused or non-abused group (Polusny & Follette, 1996; Spiegel, 2003). Individuals express symptoms in their own unique way.
Therapeutic Tips for Recovery:
To support the process of recovery, narrative therapy can be used to help the person understand how his dominant life stories organize his experiences. Through this process, the client can gain insight as to how his sense of self and future expectations have been affected by the being a survivor of sexual assault (Bennice & Resick, 2002). Through the process of retelling the story and reinterpreting the experience, the person who is afraid of life's future challenges can be freed from beliefs that inhibit their growth and recovery. Mental health counselors can join their clients in this storytelling and be part of the healing process.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, reach out to 800.656.HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.org for confidential assistance and resources. Or, find a local mental healthcare worker trained to work with you in your recovery.
References:
Aosved, A. C., Long, P. J., & Voller, E. K. (2011). Sexual revictimization and adjustment in college men. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 12(3), 285-296. doi:10.1037/a0020828
Bennice, J., & Resick, P (2002). A review of treatment and outcome of post-trauma sequelae in sexual assault survivors. In J. Petrak & B. Hedge (Eds.), The trauma of sexual assault (pp. 69-97). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Cotton, D. J. and A. N. Groth (1984) Sexual assault in correctional institutions: Prevention and intervention, In I. R. Stuart and J. G. Greer (Eds.) Victims of Sexual Aggression: Treatment of Children, Women and Men (pp.127-155). New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Frazier, P. A. (1993) A comparative study of male and female rape victims seen at a hospital-based rape crisis program. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 8(1), 64-76.
Lab, D. D., Feigenbaum, J. D., & De Silva, P. (2000). Mental health professionals’ attitudes and practices towards male childhood sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 24(3), 391-409.
Pino, N. W., & Meier, R. F. (1999). Gender differences in rape reporting. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 40(11/12), 979-90.
Polusny, M. A., & Follette, V. M. (1996). Remembering childhood sexual abuse: A national survey of psychologist’s clinical practices, beliefs, and personal experiences. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 27(1), 41-52.
Spiegel, J. (2003). Sexual abuse of males: The SAM model of theory and practice. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000174465.38116.16.
Tewksbury, R. (2007). Effects of sexual assaults on men: Physical, mental and sexual consequences. International Journal of Men's Health, 6(1), 22-35. doi:10.3149/jmh.0601.22.
Washington, P. (1999). Second assault of male survivors of sexual violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 14(7), 713-730.
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