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If He Is Raped: A Guidebook for Parents, Partners, Spouses, and Friends

NCJ Number
179187
Author(s)
Alan McEvoy; Debbie Rollo; Jeff Brookings
Date Published
1999
Length
100 pages
Annotation
Although there are rare instances of female perpetrators of rape against male victims, most male rape cases involve males assaulting other males, and this guidebook contains information for parents, partners, spouses, and friends, on what to say and do when confronted with an incident of male rape.
Abstract
Like female rape, male rape is about power, control, and domination, and the experience of being sexually victimized is traumatic for both males and females. In both cases, recovery from the sexual assault is affected by the support or the lack of support received from family and friends. Few studies, however, have paid attention to the needs of men who are raped. For males, being raped by a person of the same sex has significant implications for how they perceive rape, behave after the rape, view their sexuality, are judged by others, and recover from the sexual assault. Parents, siblings, partners, friends, and advocates can help the male rape victim by talking with him about what he is feeling and by helping him cope throughout the recovery process. Specific guidelines are offered on how to address the immediate concerns of male rape victims, develop long-term communication strategies, encourage recovery by dealing with flashbacks, and communicate with prisoners. The guidelines are organized according to partners, parents, family members, and friends. Five case studies of male rape victims are included. 54 references