When we talk about sexual violence, the focus often leans toward females, leaving the experiences of boys and men in the shadows. Sexual violence is any type of non-consensual and unwanted sexual contact covering a range acts like rape, groping, fondling, kissing, stalking and other types of sexual violence covered more in this article.1 While it is true that females disproportionately experience more sexual violence than males, men and boys are also victims and often suffer in silence due to stigma and societal expectations.2 Sexual violence against males is widely experienced – it is a significant issue that is unspoken about and deserves attention.
How Common Is It? 3,4
Sexual violence against males is more prevalent than we realize. For instance, in the United States, studies found that 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual assault or abuse in their lifetime. Globally, 410 to 530 million boys and men (around 1 in 7) experienced sexual violence in childhood. While these numbers indicate a serious global issue, the problem remains largely overlooked, leaving males without the support and recognition they deserve.
Sexual Violence as a Weapon of Power and Control 5,6
Sexual violence is not just an act of physical aggression—it is a weapon of power and control. The perpetrator or the person causing harm uses sexual violence as a weapon to dominate, humiliate, and break the will of their victims. In everyday society, it is used by authority figures, partners, and institutions to maintain control over individuals. In conflict zones, sexual violence is used as a tool of war to instill fear and subjugate communities. The use of sexual violence against males follows the same patterns stripping them of autonomy, instilling shame, and asserting dominance.
Forms of Sexual Violence Experienced by Males 1-2, 7
Sexual violence ranges from overt physical assaults to more subtle forms of coercion and manipulation. While some cases involve extreme violence, others occur in everyday environments where perpetrators exploit trust and power dynamics. Despite how sexual violence occurs, all forms have lasting psychological, emotional, and physical consequences for survivors.
Rape and Forced Sexual Acts
Rape involves forced penetration of the anus or mouth using genitals, fingers, or other objects. For males, they can be forced to penetrate and have sex. Male victims can be abused by authority figures, peers, or even intimate partners. Being coerced is also common where threats, deception, or psychological pressure force them into performing sexual acts. This kind of abuse can happen in places like schools, religious institutions, workplaces, and prisons, where power dynamics make it hard for survivors to resist or speak up.
Sexual Abuse in Childhood
Many boys experience sexual violence at a young age, often at the hands of trusted individuals like family members, teachers, faith leaders, or coaches. Child sexual abuse can involve molestation, exposure to explicit material, grooming, or being forced to participate in sexual acts. The long-term effects can be devastating, leading to difficulties with trust, intimacy, and mental health in adulthood.
Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
Sexual exploitation, including forced prostitution and human trafficking, affects thousands of boys and men worldwide. In many cases, victims are coerced, deceived, or forced into sexual labor, often under the threat of violence or financial control. Young boys are especially vulnerable to being trafficked for sexual exploitation in impoverished regions, war zones, and even developed countries where organized abuse rings operate.
Sexual Harassment and Unwanted Touching
Not all forms of sexual violence involve physical force. Many men experience sexual harassment, including unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate touching, or verbal abuse. This can occur in workplaces, schools, social settings, and even within friendships or relationships. Because men are often expected to welcome sexual attention, their experiences with harassment are frequently dismissed or minimized, making it difficult for them to speak out.
Sexual Violence in Conflict and Detention
During times of war and conflict, sexual violence is often used as a weapon against men and boys. Male prisoners and detainees are subjected to rape, genital mutilation, forced nudity, and other forms of sexual torture. These acts serve to humiliate victims, break their will, and instill fear within their communities.
Who are the Perpetrators? 1, 8-11
In sexual violence against males and females, the perpetrator is often known to the victim such as a teacher, family member, faith leader, or one’s partner. Perpetrators often hold positions of authority and trust, enabling them to exploit their roles to access and manipulate victims. One study reported 52% of male victims were raped by someone they knew and 15% were raped by a stranger. This disproves the common belief of the stranger in the night who rapes individuals. Perpetrators of sexual violence are often those most closest to us.
Women can also be perpetrators. The same study found 30% of men experienced sexual harassment and assault from women. In intimate partner violence, women were mostly the perpetrators where 97% of men who experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking were from a female partner.
Here, a challenge is people often assume men are always willing in sexual situations, especially when the perpetrator is a woman. This makes it hard for male victims to be taken seriously. Many are told they should have “enjoyed” the experience because society sees males as constantly eager for sex. For example, teenage boys abused by female teachers are often called “lucky” instead of victims. These stereotypes dismiss their trauma and make it even harder for them to speak up.
The Impact on Male Survivors 1,11
Sexual violence against men has serious physical, mental, and social consequences. Survivors may suffer physical injuries that can lead to chronic health, sexual and reproductive issues. Survivors experience mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even suicidal thoughts. It can also negatively impact areas in their life like education, work, and relationships, leading to stigma and isolation. Many men don’t report due to shame, embarrassment, fear of not being believed, or concerns about their masculinity and sexual orientation. Stigma, homophobia and societal attitudes further discourage them from speaking out and reporting, leaving many to suffer in silence.
Why Don’t We Hear About It More? 1,7
Male victims of sexual violence often stay silent due to stigma, fear, and lack of support. Many fear being judged, not believed, or having their masculinity questioned. Societal expectations of men to be strong makes it hard for them to say they have been harmed increasing their fear of not being believed or being seen as weak. Since most support services focus on women, men may not know where to find help or more often, have nowhere to find help, further discouraging them from reporting and seeking support.
Breaking the Silence
Sexual violence against boys and men is a real and pervasive issue but it is often ignored. To support survivors and prevent abuse, we need to break the stigma, create better support systems, and have more open conversations. Communities must recognize that this happens and make it easier for survivors to speak up and get help. By listening, learning, and taking action, we can build a safer and more supportive world for everyone – regardless of gender.
References
- Thomas, J. C. & Jonathan Kopel. (2023). Male Victims of Sexual Assault: A review of the literature. In Behav. Sci. (Vol. 13, p. 304).
- https://www.rescue.org/article/what-gender-based-violence-and-how-do-we-prevent-it
- https://1in6.org/statistic/
- https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/fast-facts-violence-against-children-widespread-affecting-millions-globally
- https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-protection/violence/sexual-violence/
- https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/devastating-use-sexual-violence-weapon-war
- https://s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/observatoirebdd/2008_Men_masculinities_sex_exploit_literature_review_WCIII_ECPAT_ENG.pdf
- https://www.nsvrc.org/how-often-are-men-sexually-harassed-or-assaulted
- https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/intimate-partner-violence-sexual-violence-and-stalking-among-men.html
- Bradbury, P., & Martellozzo, E. (2021). ‘Lucky Boy!’; Public perceptions of child sexual offending committed by women. Journal of Victimology and Victim Justice, 4(2), 160–178.
- https://rainn.org/articles/sexual-assault-men-and-boys
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