3 Reasons Men Aren’t Reporting Sexual Assault

Understanding the barriers that prevent men from coming forward.

Myths About "Male Rape"

There are countless "rape myths" that affect how male survivors, and society, view their experience.
  • "Men can't be raped.", classNames: null
  • "Only gay men are victims/perpetrators.", classNames: null
  • "Men are not affected by rape the same way women are.", classNames: null
  • "Male rape turns men gay.", classNames: null
  • "Men love sex, it doesn't matter how it happens.", classNames: null
As a result of these myths, men blame themselves for what happened or are less likely to frame what happened to them as sexual abuse, assault, or rape. There is a stereotypical idea that it is in men's biological wiring to constantly think about and want sex more than women do. Because of this, there is a misguided notion that they should, and would, appreciate any sexual encounter, regardless of whether it was consensual or not.

Reason #1: Seeking Help Can Cause Further Shame

One of the more startling statistics linked to how society views male sexual trauma involves the agencies determined least likely to help a man reporting rape: law enforcement and rape crisis lines. Law enforcement agencies are consistently criticized for prejudice against minorities, including the LGBT community and therefore, male survivors are lumped in with these groups due to their perceived homosexuality. Crisis hotlines, which tend to be female-driven and operate through a feminist lens, may hold the belief that rape is a problem of male aggression and toxic masculinity, therefore male survivors are treated with less empathy or disregarded entirely. Research shows that the average delay in disclosure is more than 20 years, and it takes almost 30 years for most men to feel comfortable discussing it further. Men are less likely to report if the perpetrator was a relative, and because they are afraid of looking gay. The rates themselves may not give an accurate reflection of how many men on average experience sexual abuse, due to the aforementioned male rape myths and victims not interpreting what happened to them as abuse. Studies show that men's rates of disclosure are about 26%, compared to women at 64%.

Reason #2: Male Anatomy Complicates Legal Proceedings

Men also face a specific complication that makes their cases harder to defend, especially in a legal setting, when they are the victims of unwanted sex: the male anatomical response. Studies show that men are capable of getting erections and even achieving orgasm when under extreme stress. The self-reporting of such a physiological response has led to case dismissals, because if a man reports becoming aroused and ejaculating, many assume that the act was consensual on some level.

Reason #3: Long-Term Effects on Mental Health

Despite the widely held belief that men are not as affected by rape as women are, researchers suggested that male rape is one of the highest causes of post-traumatic stress disorder among men. Men with a history of sexual abuse are at risk for health problems like major depressive disorder, substance abuse, anger management problems, and even suicide. Male survivors can also experience problems developing intimacy with partners and struggle with feelings of alienation. In extreme cases, sexual dysfunction can occur as a result of negative feelings associated with sex; agoraphobia has been reported in men who find themselves constantly in fear of being re-victimized. Aggression, irritability and rage problems are also common in men. It is easier for men to funnel unwanted or repressed feelings through anger and lash out instead of talk about their depression.
There is no doubt that sexual trauma has lasting effects on any person and, truth be told, men are more often the perpetrators in these situations. Male aggression, misogyny, and toxic masculinity are very real problems in the world, but we are forgetting that men can be victims of this, too. As much as we need to teach boys not to be aggressors, it is equally as important that we help men heal and stop the cycle of abuse.
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