Male sexual violence
When a man is the victim of sexual abuse or rape he may find it particularly hard to cope with because it's still such a taboo. But the harsh reality is that rape does happen to both sexes.
Why was I singled out?
If you are a survivor of sexual violence, the first thing you must come to terms with is that it wasn't your fault. No matter what your abuser may have told you, you weren't responsible for their actions - they were.
James, 24, from Slough, was 17 when he was attacked in a deserted car park. "Two blokes came up and asked me for a light. As I fumbled in my pocket, one punched me and I fell to the ground. While one held me down, the other sexually attacked me. I've gone over it a million times wondering what I did wrong and how I could've prevented it from happening."
Boys don't cry?
Whether you're male or female, it is likely that you'll experience feelings of anger and shame after sexual violence. But for men it is very common to feel as if you should have been able to stop it because society portrays men as being 'strong' and able to defend themselves. But this isn't the case - men are put in an equally helpless position as women when being abused.
James continues: "I lost all my confidence and self-respect. I couldn't tell my family and was too ashamed to talk to my mates; they would've wondered why I didn't defend myself. It became pretty hard for me to see myself as being worth anything at all."
Close to home
Sometimes the person who abuses is someone that you may have already known, like a trusted family friend, relative or even a partner. But it can also be a complete stranger. Either way, the abuser will usually attempt to make you feel as if you played a part in why it happened. They may also threaten you to agree to keep their actions a secret. This was the case for James. "Their parting shot was to keep my mouth shut if I didn't want to get more of the same. At the time I didn't think I'd ever tell anyone," he says.
What about my sexuality?
Many men who have been sexually abused by another man wonder if this now makes them gay especially because being touched in a sexual way, even without consent, can be arousing. But there are no hard and fast rules. Just because you've had a sexual encounter with a man doesn't mean this dictates your sexuality.
Speaking out
Being able to face up to what's happened to you is the hardest but most crucial step. You may only be able to deal with it after a long period of time. But even though your experience is unique, don't think you're alone. Going online and chatting anonymously can be extremely helpful and healing as you'll 'meet' other people who understand what you've been through. You can gain strength by telling your story to other survivors and feel empowered by hearing how they dealt with what happened to them. Phoning a helpline is another way to get advice and confidence about yourself. Both of these routes will also be able to put you in touch with support groups and counsellors in your area. " found out about a survivors' group, it didn't take them long to sort out counselling. Now, I've got a girlfriend and want to go back to college. My attackers thought I wasn't worth anything, but I know now they were wrong," says James.
How can I help?
If your partner or friend has confided in you, be patient and offer to assist them with some practical help. Phoning a helpline or finding a counsellor may not take much time, but could make all the difference so that they can move on with their life - you can also get some help for yourself to deal with the situation too. "Remember that they have made themselves extremely vulnerable by letting you into their world. And you may just need to be there for them by listening and being non-judgemental." James adds.
Never give up
Sometimes it can feel like getting help is a mountain that's just way too high to climb. But according to Jody Kozak from Survivors UK, it's really important to acknowledge that things take time. "The first step is often the hardest. It's difficult to tell someone you've been abused so it's often best to read a book first as that's really private and there are a lot of good ones out there. But once you're ready to make contact, it's important that survivors seek out support services that have specific knowledge about these issues. There's help out there, make sure you keep trying until you get what you need."
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