Session Eight - Sexual victimization of men and boys and its outcomes
Contributor: Su Baker, MEd (edited by John O’Neil, MD)
Session Description
Most research in the area of childhood sexual abuse, its phenomenology and long-term psychological, social and medical outcome focusses on women, given their prevalence in clinical practice. However, there is now a growing body of literature focusing on the sexual victimization of boys and men. This session explores some of the similarities and differences in disclosure, presentation and psychotherapy of men who were sexually abused as boys and adolescents.
Because of various factors, including feelings of shame and guilt, masculine stereotypes, fear of being blamed for the abuse, denial, etc., men in therapy often do not report sexual abuse histories to their therapists. Thus, it is important that therapists be aware of possible indicators of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) so that appropriate questions about CSA history be included in assessment and interventions. As well, since some male CSA survivors have not recognized that their early sexual history constitutes sexual abuse, despite their deeply ambivalent feelings about their experiences, understanding the role of betrayal by trusted adults in their lives, and the circumstances around them, is paramount. Finally, working therapeutically with men entails some differences when it comes to treating the complex posttraumatic and dissociative disorders that result from male CSA.
Readings
- Alaggia, R., Millington, G. (2008). Male child sexual abuse: a phenomenology of betrayal. Clinical Social Work Journal, 36, 265–275. DOI 10.1007/s10615-007-0144-y.
- Easton, S.D. (2013). Disclosure of child sexual abuse among adult male survivors. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41, 344–355. DOI 10.1007/s10615-012-0420-3.
- Dorahy, M.J., Clearwater, K. (2012). Shame and guilt in men exposed to childhood sexual abuse: a qualitative investigation. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 21, 155–175. DOI 10.1080/10538712.2012.659803.
- Sigurdardottir, S., Halldorsdottir, S., Bender, S. (2012). Deep and almost unbearable suffering: consequences of childhood sexual abuse for men’s health and well-being. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 26, 1-10.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the social and psychological obstacles that men face in disclosing a history of CSA
- Discuss the impact of betrayal on boys and men and its impact on psychotherapy
- Describe and discuss the psychological outcome of male CSA, especially in those who had never disclosed until later in life
Available Credit
- 2.50 APAThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- 2.50 ASWB ACEThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2.50 continuing education credits.
- 2.50 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 2.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.