Research indicates that one in six men experienced sexual abuse at some point during their childhood. Post-Weinstein, it’s time to cast off shame and secrecy
‘We need to acknowledge the barriers that may prevent a man from disclosing.’ Photograph: Photofusion/REX/Shutterstock
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations, more and more men in Hollywood are coming forward with their own stories of sexual harassment and sexual abuse within the entertainment industry. As they bravely share their experiences, a long taboo issue is being brought to the surface. To the tens of millions of men still suffering in silence, this can pave the way for healing.
As a forensic consultant, clinician, researcher, and survivor of sexual violence myself, I have for the past 30 years navigated the too-often secret terrain inhabited by men who have suffered sexual violence. I have listened to disclosures, I have catalogued symptoms, I have assessed emotional losses, and I have also witnessed the liberation that comes from casting off shame and secrecy.
Research indicates that one in six men experienced sexual abuse at some point during their childhood, and this is probably a low estimate, as it doesn’t account for non-contact experiences, which can also have lasting effects.
In addition, when thinking about the statistic, we need to acknowledge the barriers that may prevent a man from disclosing his experiences; not only is there a lack of awareness about the issue and its prevalence (I often hear men say that they thought they were “the only one”), but societal expectations about what it means to “be a man” may cause a survivor to suppress his trauma.
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