An estimated 92,000 men are raped each year in the United States1.

Most sexual assaults of men are perpetrated by other men. However, male rape has nothing to do with the sexual orientation of either the victim or the rapist. Rape is NOT an expression of sexuality. It is a crime of humiliation and control. Often heterosexual victims believe they will become gay or homosexual victims feel that they caused the assault. This is a myth.

  • 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted before the age of 182
  • 83% of abused boys are under the age of 12; 26% are under the age of 6
  • Adult men can be assaulted by friends, strangers and gangs. 60% of men raped by other men knew their attackers.

Both heterosexual and homosexual survivors often have feelings of shame after an attack because of their bodies’ reactions. Heterosexual men then question their sexuality. Homosexual men tend to believe they caused the attack. But it is important to remember that with stimulation there is an automatic response that is beyond your control.

These myths and stereotypes lead to ignorance which adds to the shame and isolation that male victims experience.

If you have been victimized, click here: what should I do first? 

 

  1. Thoennes, Nancy, Tjaden, Patricia. Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women. U.S. Department of Justice. November, 2000.
  2. Finkelhor, David, Hotaling, G., Lewis, I., Smith C. Sexual Abuse in a National Survey of Adult Male Men and Women: Prevalence, Characterisitics, and Risk Factors. Child Sexual Abuse and Neglect, Vol. 14. pp19-28, 1990.