Recommended Reading
Male
Survivors (return to)
Myths Surrounding Sexual Abuse of Males
| Myth: | Sexual abuse of males is a rare occurrence. |
| Fact: | The Badgley Royal Commission report on "Sexual Offences against Youth and Children" states that approximately one in three males experience some form of sexual violence during their lifetime. |
| Myth: | Males who are sexually abused do not suffer to the same extent as female victims. |
| Fact: | Sexual abuse is a crime of violence and all victims suffer. Male victims experience the same reactions to the crime as female victims do. Some of these reactions include self-blame, fear, anger, relationship problems, questions about sexuality, addictions and trust issues. Not everyone will experience all of these reactions, nor will they experience them to the same extent. |
| Myth: | Males are only abused by homosexual men. |
| Fact: | The majority of sexual offenders are heterosexual males. Females can also assault males, most often as young children and teens and/or in dating relationships using coercion or threats to enforce compliance. |
| Myth: | Males assaulted by another male are, or become, homosexuals. |
| Fact: | Sexual abuse is not an act of sex, passion or desire; it is a crime of violence. The sexual orientation of the victim is not changed by such an attack. |
| Myth: | Male victims of sexual abuse can never be normal. They are permanently damaged. |
| Fact: | Although sexual abuse is a very traumatic experience, with help, victims do recover. |
