Division of Campus Life
BWell Health Promotion
Tags Sexual Violence Prevention and Response

Male Survivors

Resource

Anyone can experience sexual violence, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, immigration or socioeconomic status. While the majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by men, 1 out of every 10 men is sexually assaulted.

Because our society fails to see that men can be sexually assaulted, men often have a difficult time accepting their own victimization and delay seeking help and support. This page offers information about the sexual assault of men, talks about the barriers male survivors often face, and offers a list of resources male survivors can connect with. 

Understanding Sexual Assault of Men

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact, and for men, can include: 

  • unwanted touching, fondling, or groping of a male's body including the penis, scrotum or buttocks, even through his clothe
  • forced oral or anal sex, including any amount of penetration of the anus or mouth with a body part or any other object
  • forced to penetrate someone else with any part of their body.

Anyone, regardless of gender or gender identity, can sexually assault a man. However, most sexual assaults against men are committed by other men, who actually identify themselves as heterosexual. Sexual assault is not about sexual desire or sexual orientation; it's about violence, control, and humiliation.

There are many layered reasons why men may face challenges when seeking support after experiencing an assault. Societal beliefs around masculinity and culturally normalized homophobia are among the factors that may impact how a male survivor interprets their experiences as well as the support they may or may not receive. 
NAVIGATING NEEDS AFTER SEXUAL HARM

Title IX policy

Brown University's Title IX policy applies to all members of the community, and includes definitions of consent and of sexual assault.

More About Title IX

Common Survivor Reactions

Any survivor of sexual assault may experience the following reactions, but male survivors may experience these in a different way.

If a survivor became sexually aroused, had an erection, or ejaculated during the sexual assault, he may feel uncertain about whether the experience can be considered an assault. These are involuntary physiological reactions. They do not mean that the person wanted to be sexually assaulted, or that they enjoyed the assault. Just as with anyone of any gender, a sexual response does not mean there was consent.

Intersecting identities, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and background, can significantly shape how a survivor experiences, interprets, and responds to sexual assault. These intersecting factors can influence a person’s self-perception, their comfort level with seeking support, and the specific systemic or cultural barriers they may encounter when accessing resources.

Resources

If you have experienced sexual violence, learn more about the resources available to you.

Sexual Assault Response Line

The Sexual Assault Response Line (401-863-6000) connects students with confidential crisis support and information for accessing resources in response to an incident of sexual violence or interpersonal harm.

Survivor Resource Guide

The Survivor Resource Guide provides support resources and reporting options available to students who have experienced sexual harm.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

How to Help a Friend

  • Take it seriously.
  • Ask him what you can do to support him.
  • Let him know that it was not his fault.

  • Let him know he is not alone.

     

  • Tell him that help is available and help him to connect him with resources if he would like.
  • Don't tell him what he should do. Instead, tell him that he has choices and that you support him.
  • Read more information on how to help a friend.

Source

Adapted from Planned Parenthood's Teenwire, "He Didn't Ask for it Either," and National Center for Victims of Crime Infoline, "Male Rape."

Related Links

1 in 6 For Men

A website with resources for men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in their childhood, including 24-hour online support, educational material covering the impact of sexual abuse, and stories of healing from male survivors.
Visit Page

Day One: The Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center

Day One is the RI resource for victims of sexual assault and their families. The site provides information on a range of topics, including sexual assault, child sexual abuse, internet safety and sex offender management. Day One offers individual and group counseling for survivors of sexual abuse, child sexual abuse and for their families.
Visit Page

Anti-Violence Project

This project serves lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and HIV-positive victims of violence, and others affected by violence, by providing free and confidential services enabling them to regain their sense of control, identify and evaluate their options, and assert their rights.
Visit Page

Stop it Now!

Stop It Now provides information on childhood sexual abuse, answers commonly asked questions and provides resources and related links.
Visit Page

Forge

FORGE is a national transgender anti-violence organization, founded in 1994. Since 2009, we have been federally funded to provide direct services to transgender, gender non-conforming and gender non-binary survivors of sexual assault.
Visit Page