Myths About Male Sexual Victimization

Adapted from Betrayed as Boys: Psychodynamic Treatment of Sexually Abused Men
Preconceptions abound about the sexual abuse of boys and men.
NONE OF THESE MYTHS IS SUPPORTED BY THE RESEARCH.

1. Men cannot be sexually abused.
2. Women do not abuse sexually.
3. Sexual abuse is always overt.
4. Only sissies and weaklings allow abuse.
5. Children should be able to say no to abuse if violence is not used. If they don’t, they must have wanted the abuse to occur.
6. If a boy feels sexual arousal, he is an equal participant in the abuse.
7. Male victimizers who molest boys consider themselves homosexual and are interested sexually in other men.
8. Victimizers are always conscious of the abuse they are committing.
9. Sexual abuse turns a boy gay.
10. Sexually abused boys almost inevitably grow up to be sexually abusive men.