Should it matter that the survivor of rape is a man?
Well, from the point of the high moral ground that most activists choose to stand it must not. Yet the crimes of men being raped are not only underrated but it seems like people are not even interested in studying them. Making male sexual harassment one of the most understudied subjects of all time.
If you look closely most of the countries including not some but a lot of developed countries as well don’t even acknowledge in their laws that men can be raped
Overlooked facts about Male Rape
Luckily we found some data. The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), which is one of the largest statistical data of its kind, conclusively suggests that the number of men who survived rape is closely comparable to the number of female rape survivors.
Most of the people when arguing makes a faulty point with or without intentions where they blame other men for male rape victims. However, this survey indicates about 80% of the rapists of men are female predators.
We are constantly told and badgered into ‘rethinking masculinity. In fact, the advent of woke culture has gone so far as labeling most forms of masculinity toxic. Something that is about strength, poise, and calmness amidst the turmoil, is wrongly labeled toxic by associating it with bursts of emotions and punching holes in the wall. We see people who blame masculinity or patriarchy for the suffering of men. It is important that we realize such an act of blaming is no different than victim-blaming a woman who suffered rape. We need to not only rethink masculinity but also rethink and reiterate the definition of rape. And that’s not enough unless we think twice before labeling masculinity toxic. We must relearn what we thought we knew and see things objectively based on facts and numbers instead of submitting to misinformed mainstream beliefs.
Hidden numbers of Male Rape
These efforts to have the correction in paradigm start with the following numbers that are hard to believe.
As per NISVS 2010 CDC National Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Survey.
Rape: Estimated number of survivors in the last twelve months – 1,270,000 women
Forced to penetrate: Estimated number of survivors in last twelve months – 1,267,000 Men
Refer to the following table for continued data…
| Year | Women | Men |
| 2010 | 1,270,000 | 1,267,000 |
| 2011 | 1,929,000 | 1,921,000 |
| 2012 | 1,217,000 | 1,929,000 |
| 2015 | 1,284,000 | 827,000 |
Sources:
- National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief
- National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey
- Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization— National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, United States, 2011
- National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey—2010
Who is sexually harassing men?
Now the big question is, who is doing these heinous crimes?
As per NISVS 2010, out of all female rape survivors, 98.1% of them reported male perpetrators. For male survivors who were forced to penetrate 79.2% reported to have suffered female perpetrators. This means both genders including men most of the time suffer sexual harassment from the other gender. Thus labeling gender to criminals or associating masculinity with a crime is indeed a false presumption.
How are men being harassed?
Given the obvious edge that men have in physical strength. The next and very important question is, How are they doing it?
As per Barbara Krahé, Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Germany, In a sample of 248 women almost one in 10 (9.3%) said to have used aggressive strategies to coerce male victims into sexual activities. One of the other most used methods was exploiting incapacitated men (5.6%). About 3.2% used verbal pressure while 2% of the women exerted a physical force over a male victim. Over this, an additional 5.4% of women have reported using sexual aggression over men.
Source: Women’s Sexual Aggression Against Men: Prevalence and Predictors
We know the sufferings of these abuses are not limited to the duration they happened. They are indeed long-lasting. In about 7% of incidents with both genders, a weapon was used to further the malicious cause. This led to damaging injuries in 12.6% of the women and 8.5% of men.
Source: The Sexual Victimization of Men in America: New Data Challenge Old Assumptions
Repercussions and Conclusion
This sexual abuse also led men to suicidal ideation, some showed symptoms of anxiety, sexual dysfunction, loss of self-esteem, prolonged depression, and so much as sexual dysfunction and difficulties in a long-term relationship.
As if this is not enough, there are documented records showing men being laughed at when they come out and demand justice. We all have to keep in mind that these numbers are the only reported cases. We must not fail to acknowledge that men due to shaming and fear of being ridiculed choose to suffer in silence.
It is high time that we stop acting like only women have a copywrite on being victims of sexual harassment. Also, those countries that still don’t have any legislation acknowledging such harassment are not doing any good to their boys.
Read More:
The Game of Dying Men: The Dark Side of The Dying Gender No One Talks About
Chivalry vs Societal morals. Who is preferred, Man or Woman?
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