While statistically around 6% of all rapes are perpetrated against men, the fact is men are sexually assaulted too. The need to deny the existence of male sexual assault is still strong. It is partly rooted in the mistaken belief that men are immune to being victimized, that a man should be able to fight off any attacker if he is a "real man." Two other closely related beliefs are that men can't be forced into having sex with a woman because men always want sex and that male victims of sexual assault must be gay, therefore only attacked by other men. These pervasive beliefs of masculinity lead to an increased risk for survivors getting depressed, getting into trouble at work, getting physically hurt, or developing alcohol and drug problems. For more information, please visit the Montana State University-Northern's website on Male Survivors.
If you or someone you know has been assaulted, please visit our survivors section and our healing section.
