A very dear friend posted something that hurt me deeply to read, because I felt his pain.
He was the victim of child sexual abuse. It took him many years to come to terms with what happened, and he's finally trying to be brave enough to speak out.
He posted something on FB, and since it's not on a public profile and you can't find out who he is by his poignant words, I would like to quote it.
This issue is NOT gender specific.
I think I'll write my paper on sexism in the sexual assault recovery academic community instead.
Bastards.
I hope you all understand where he is coming from, as a survivor who feels marginalized. There *are* few Rape Crisis groups that offer male-only sessions, and many times men may not feel willing to open up about the differences in their path to seeking help if they are around women. Many may have other unresolved concerns that could also be best served by case workers who were familiar with the partiucular patterns of self-blame and shame that many male victims feel. We've made progress in trying to teach female victims it's not their fault. I want us to be able to get that message out to men, so they do not feel so alone and ashamed of something that was NOT their fault. (And no, not all perps against men and boys are women, but some are, and in some ways that can mess up a developing psyche in just as devastating of a fashion regardless of the gender of the abuser.)
= new reply since forum marked as read
People don't realize that men can be raped by women too. I've read of men being drugged and raped by random strangers, current and ex girlfriend, etc.
This happened to a friend of mine. He woke up to some "old women, like glasses on a chain old" who'd unzipped his pants and was starting to do something to him (I'd rather not say what)
He was ashamed, disgusted (literally threw up) and refused to go to the police.
I've said it before "The Kyriarchy hurts men too"
Hugs to your friend.
