Underreporting may also be linked to community assumptions of male survivors as future perpetrators, homosexual or emotionally weak. For a man to disclose being victimised, he exposes himself to this questioning both internally and externally.
Male Survivors (toah-nnest.org.nz)
Homophobia (personal and public) can inhibit men disclosing sexual abuse and seeking assistance. If abused by a male, men may be confused and concerned about their sexuality which may include the fear of being gay or having the potential to be gay.
Gay identified survivors may experience distress over their sexual orientation, linking it to the abuse. If abused by a female the survivor may feel that he will not be taken seriously.
It is important to remember that sexual abuse is about power, control, domination and humiliation, not about sex or sexuality.
2021-01-29