Men Against Violence
Why should men care about Sexual Violence?
- Men rape
Males commit the great majority of all sexually violent crimes.
Even when a man is the victim of a sexual crime, the perpetrator is most often another man.
- Men are raped.
Men are also sexually assaulted but tend not to disclose as they are afraid they will not be believed or will be called gay or blamed for their victimization
- Men know of survivors.
- Most often a man will at some time in his life know, or know of, a victim of sexual violence. Men should be prepared to respond with compassion and sensitivity.
- Men can stop rape.
- Rape is a choice used as a weapon of power and control. The majority of men who are not perpetrators of sexual crimes, have a responsibility to speak out against sexual violence.
What can men do to stop both sexual and domestic violence?
- Speak up against sexual/ domestic violence
- Communicate with both men and women on the issue of sexual violence.
- Support survivors of rape
- Members of organizations can join together to speak out against sexual/domestic violence
- Give time and money to organizations dealing with the issue of sexual and domestic violence
- Showing respect to women will influence friends and peers to do the same. Degrading name calling of women is disrespectful.
What should we know about men who have been sexually assaulted?
- Research suggests that between 10-20% of men and boys are sexually assaulted during their lifetime.
- Most men who have been sexually assaulted keep it a secret out of shame, fear of being laughed at and ridiculed.
- Woman can sexually assault a man or boy
- Men experience similar feelings of anger, sadness, fear, self-blame, helplessness as women when they have been sexually assaulted. However, men often display more anger and hostility after a sexual assault. They also sometimes question their sexual identity.
Can men be the victims of domestic violence?
- Men are often the victims of domestic violence but it is more likely to be verbal or emotional abuse, rather than physical. However, men can also be victims of physical abuse.
- Men are more likely to keep silent about the abuse out of feelings of shame and fear of being ridiculed.
What men should do if they have been sexually or physically assaulted.
- Any man or boy who has been assaulted, particularly sexually, should be examined by the doctor to ensure he has not sustained any injuries or contracted any sexually transmitted diseases.
- Consider making a report to the Police to lessen the chance that the perpetrator does not continue to assault others.
- If the male is a minor, the law requires that the matter is reported to the Police.
Men should respond with compassion, care and understanding to any person, male or female, who has been the victim of a sexual or physical assault.