Kareena Rana
In the UK, approximately one in 100 men experience sexual assault every year. But most male victims are afraid to talk about their experiences or seek support.
The Stigma Of Sexual Assault
Stigma is attached to every form of sexual assault. This stigma is primarily related to victim blaming, although it can also be associated with the victim’s lifestyle and criminal stereotypes. For example, saying the victim is at fault for dressing a certain way, working a particular job or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many people are reluctant to speak about sexual violence because of the stigma. Even if they do say something — for example, reporting the crime to the police — stigmas can result in them being dismissed by others. Or worse.
Male victims of sexual assault face significant stigma rooted in societal norms and stereotypes. Society labels men as strong and dominant, so they aren’t seen as being vulnerable to sex crimes. Sexual assault can feel or be seen as emasculating due to the link between sexual dominance and masculinity.
The misconception men always desire sex further perpetuates this stigma. Because men are expected to want sex, many people don’t think they would reject the opportunity. This is further complicated by arousal sometimes occurring during assault. Men who are assaulted may not be taken seriously due to sexist stereotypes.
Those assaulted by other men can often face additional stigma because of potential homophobia. They might worry about being perceived as homosexual or, if they are gay, being blamed for their sexuality. On the other hand, due to fewer women being criminalised for sexual violence, they might worry about reactions regardless.
Lack Of Public Awareness
There is a lack of public awareness about male sexual assault, leading to a lack of understanding and recognition. Due to this, many male victims feel ashamed to admit they were assaulted, fearing they will be seen as weak or less masculine. Men often worry that they won’t be taken seriously if they report sexual assault, as there is limited public education about the topic, which deters them from seeking help.
To tackle this stigma, it is important to educate each other. Public campaigns and sexual education programmes can help to challenge harmful stereotypes. However, changes to sex education in the UK may actually worsen the situation. Educating and informing others encourages an open dialogue where men have safe spaces to discuss their experiences. These conversations can be promoted in media and public forums.
Encouraging male survivors to share their stories is crucial in tackling the stigma men face. Male advocates and public figures can speak out against sexual violence using social media and other platforms, which allows men to feel safe enough to speak up about their own experiences.
Representation Of Male Victims
This year, Netflix released the drama Baby Reindeer, which is based on the creator’s real life experiences. Following up on the #MeToo movement, unveiling male predators in Hollywood, Richard Gadd revealed his story of being ‘stalked and abused’ by a TV writer. The show challenges commonly held stereotypes about who abuses and who gets abused, which isn’t always divided by gender.
Baby Reindeer has encouraged male victims of sexual assault to talk about their own traumas. Providing representation has reduced shame and humanised male victims by putting a face to them. Since its release, a charity for male sexual abuse has seen an 80 per cent rise in phone calls.
By bringing male sexual assault into the public eye, Baby Reindeer helps male victims feel seen, heard and supported. Those who have previously denied their experiences, to themselves and others, now have a vehicle to discuss them. Representation is important in giving people the words and concepts to talk about taboo topics, such as assault, and making people aware of what sexual assault is.
Addressing barriers is important to dismantle the stigma around sexual assault, break the silence, and create a supportive environment for all survivors.
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Featured image courtesy of Dani Navarro on Unsplash. No changes made to this image. Image license found here.
