Sexual Violence Against Men - Still a Taboo Subject

Changing attitudes towards sexual norms makes headline news today. Debates and new legislation has been put in place for gay marriages, adoption by same sex couples of children and the age of concent limit. With all the progress being made in certain areas of sexuality other darker areas are completely ignored. Sexual violence against men by men is acknowledged however sexual abuse by women against men is usually ignored and swept under the carpet.

The percent of abused men by women generally do not report their situation due to several personal factors however therre are support networks available for these victims. The most common form of abuse is when a man in a hetrosexual relationship are regularly coerced into having sex against their wishes and, in many situations, the women will become violent and abusive to them.

Many men describe how their wife or partner demands sex having been physically abusive to them earlier. There are even darker cases wherby young men are sexually abused by older female relatives. Some females get sexually aroused by physically abusing the men in their lives and they resort to punching, lashing out with verbal abuse.

There are a variety of forms in which a man can be sexually abused by a woman. Some other forms of sexual or psychological abuse of men may include be belittled, compared to other men, forced to engage in sexual practices against their will such as S&M or group sex. Many of the women involved in the sexual abuse of men clearly exploit and manipulate their husbands or partners. So, why do men hold this deep form of hurt to themselves and not look for assistance?

Due to the construction of masculinity and masculine sexuality which dictates that a man should go out and have as much sex as he can, any man who is suffering abuse feel that they are standing against the stereotype of what it is to be "a real man". Many organizations have reported that 1 in 10 men do ring their helpline for assistance however when it comes to taking any further steps the men back down. Part of the reasoning for this is that the abused man feels that he wont be believed or that if anyfound found out it would impact on his manhood which would cause further ridicule.

So, this seems very much to be a Catch 22 for sexually abused men. However, more men are beginning to come forward for help and with confidential helplines available to assist them, are now taking back their lives into their own hands. Sexual abuse of any form should not be ignored and shame for being a victim should not stand in your way of making contact with helplines or your local Doctor in order to stop the abuser. Don't do nothing about abuse, take back control and stop it now.