Male Victims/Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

In Australia it is far easier to find sexual abuse specialist services or support groups for female survivors than for males. Male-specific services are extremely limited. The number of reporting females is far higher than reporting or service-seeking males, therefore indicating less need for the provision of male-specific services. Low numbers of males seeking support is influenced by many prohibitive factors, including stigma, shame, self-doubt, guilt and ongoing pain. Many self-medicate to relieve their pain, depression or to avoid addressing the underlying cause, leading to other debilitating issues such as dependence or abuse.

The ongoing, untreated effects of childhood sexual trauma can affect all aspects of life. Relationships, education, ability to parent and employment can all be influenced, determining the overall ability to achieve happiness, contentment or to feel fulfilled. Many males go an entire lifetime without sharing aspects of their trauma, leading to many regrets at the end of life. Maintaining a tough, stoic character can be exhausting, depriving emotions and relationships, yet retaining constant control.

Those who take the first step to seek support, can be relieved of the excessive weight they have carried for many years, as well as the deeply buried pain of their experiences. Being believed by someone is part of that first step, knowing that they were not at fault and that as a child, they were not the person in control and therefore not to blame.

Improve Your Life can support you to heal and make change. No one can change your past experiences or erase them from your memory. But even the slightest change in thought or behaviour can motivate you to progress and commit to achieve bigger change and bring about more positives in life.

Resources:

https://www.samsn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Living-Well-A-Guide-for-Men-Booklet.pdf

https://malesurvivor.org

https://1in6.org

Or see the samsn.org.au website.