Sexual abuse is a pervasive problem in our society, but the vast majority of research focuses on female survivors. However, research is beginning to indicate that men are also victims of sexual abuse, and the problem may be far more widespread than previously thought. The aim of this article is to report on the available research on the prevalence of sexual abuse among men before the age of 25.
Methodology
This paper conducted a systematic review of the literature on male sexual abuse carried out between 2000 and 2021. The literature was searched using the following databases: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The search terms used were “sexually abused men,” “male sexual abuse,” “boyhood sexual abuse,” “men molested as a boy,” and “male rape victims.” Articles in English language that reported the prevalence of male sexual abuse before 25 were chosen.
Findings
Several studies suggest that male sexual abuse is extensive but underreported. Coyle et al. (2018) found that 1 in 6 males experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18, while Holmes and Slap (1998) found that approximately 1 in 10 males experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. When these studies were combined, it was found that approximately 15% of men were sexually abused before the age of 18. However, these studies used different definitions of sexual abuse, making direct comparison difficult.
A more recent study by Casey et al. (2020) found that 16% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence. An Australian study found similar results, with 17% of males stating they experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18 (Tucci et al., 2013). However, Hall et al. (2018) found that 30% of a sample of college males had experienced some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16. The discrepancy may be due to differences in definitions of sexual abuse, sample size, and how abuse was measured.
The prevalence of male sexual abuse before the age of 25 varies depending on the study design and definitions used. However, the consensus is that a significant proportion of men have experienced this form of violence. It is also important to recognize that males may experience abuse differently from females; for example, males may be more likely to be abused by an older woman or authority figure.
Male sexual abuse is a significant problem that has been under-discussed and under-researched. While estimates of the prevalence vary, the evidence suggests that a substantial minority of males experience sexual abuse before the age of 25. Researchers and healthcare professionals should be attentive to male sexual abuse and flag it as a public health concern that warrants greater attention.
References
1. Casey, E. A., de Oliveira, T. G., Meyer, S., & Shoemaker, E. (2020). Patterns of Male Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0886260520951917.
2. Coyle, C. E., Wolman, L., & McKeon, R. (2018). Prevalence of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Suicidality in a Psychiatrist’s Patient Population. Journal of psychiatric practice, 24(4), 253-260.
3. Hall, J., Knopp, K., & Janssen, E. (2018). Examining the prevalence of childhood sexual assault among college men: A descriptive exploratory study. Journal of American College Health, 66(7), 609-616.
4. Holmes, W. C., & Slap, G. B. (1998). Sexual Abuse of Boys—Definition, Prevalence, Correlates, Sequelae, and Management. JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(21), 1855-1862.
5. Tucci, J., Goddard, C., Warr, D., Hamilton, G., & Madden, R. (2013). Child maltreatment in Australia: child protection data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Child Abuse & Neglect, 37(9), 624-632.
I have a very, very dear friend who lost her son in a domestic violence murder. I don’t know if she will be willing to talk about it but I think it helps her to keep getting up every day .
I think he also struggled with depression because he was stuck & probably didn’t leave because of the stigma.
If she agrees and you would like to have her on you have to promise to think about what you want to ask but with kid leather gloves. Her son was an acquaintance, someone who watched out for me years ago.
I have absolutely no doubt that it was divine intervention for us to come to know each other so I could encourage, love and support her through such an unfathomable nightmare. She is family in my heart and someone else I love may have just lost her daughter to suicide we don’t know. However through this forum the other mom and I were very close and she went on to make friends with Stella. Now Stella may be the strength, understanding and support for my ex friend who just lost her daughter.
Let me know if you would like to have her on and I messaged her but today she is the anniversary of her daughter’s death and long time ago. Tragic that a parent would lose both of their children.
I hope you are doing better and I am so glad you have such a loving supportive wife and family.
All the ugliness and truth comes out in the end Eric. Stand strong, be the good, strong man and Dad you were definitely meant to do this. You and Robert are making a big difference for so many Dads that had no where to turn.
Bless you. Don’t get mad at me but you can’t keep running from God. I hope we both find peace and healing. I’m so sorry that you also went through so much.
We are survivors and by God’s grace we are here . ❤️🤗🙏
I have a very, very dear friend who lost her son in a domestic violence murder. I don’t know if she will be willing to talk about it but I think it helps her to keep getting up every day .
I think he also struggled with depression because he was stuck & probably didn’t leave because of the stigma.
If she agrees and you would like to have her on you have to promise to think about what you want to ask but with kid leather gloves. Her son was an acquaintance, someone who watched out for me years ago.
I have absolutely no doubt that it was divine intervention for us to come to know each other so I could encourage, love and support her through such an unfathomable nightmare. She is family in my heart and someone else I love may have just lost her daughter to suicide we don’t know. However through this forum the other mom and I were very close and she went on to make friends with Stella. Now Stella may be the strength, understanding and support for my ex friend who just lost her daughter.
Let me know if you would like to have her on and I messaged her but today she is the anniversary of her daughter’s death and long time ago. Tragic that a parent would lose both of their children.
I hope you are doing better and I am so glad you have such a loving supportive wife and family.
All the ugliness and truth comes out in the end Eric. Stand strong, be the good, strong man and Dad you were definitely meant to do this. You and Robert are making a big difference for so many Dads that had no where to turn.
Bless you. Don’t get mad at me but you can’t keep running from God. I hope we both find peace and healing. I’m so sorry that you also went through so much.
We are survivors and by God’s grace we are here . ❤️🤗🙏