Sexually Abused Men

Research shows that, as many as 1 in 6 males have had unwanted sexual contact before the age of 16.*

Did you know the following men all acknowledged being sexually abused?
 

Drew Carey (actor) Greg Louganis (Olympic gold medalist/swimmer) Sheldon Kennedy (professional hockey player) Mark McGwire (professional baseball player) Tom Arnold (actor) Willie Ames (actor "Eight is Enough") Dave Pelzer (author) Andy Garcia (actor)

Jon Bon Jovi (musician) Alexander Pushkin (Russian poet) Henry Miller (author) Axl Rose (musician) Carlos Santana (musician) Lavernous Coles (professional athlete-football) BJ Thomas (singer)

Until recent years, the idea that a man could be sexually violated has been unheard of in the general public. In fact, many people today think that boys are very rarely sexually violated and that men are never sexually violated. Sadly these people are mistaken. This general invisibility is one aspect that makes male sexual abuse different from female sexual abuse. The shame of not having been able to defend oneself (even in the case of young boys) often leads to a spiral of silence and rage.

If you have been sexually violated, you may be experiencing difficulties like:

• Feelings of isolation

• Problems with alcohol or drugs

• Numbness to your feelings

• High risk-taking behaviors, including sexual acting out

• Questioning your "maleness"

• History of abusive or unsatisfying relationships

• An intense sense of rage

• Sexual dysfunction

• A fear of sex

• Nightmares about the sexual abuse

• Questions about your sexual orientation

The good news is that countless numbers of men have healed from sexual abuse. You are not alone.

To make an appointment, you can reach me at (425) 453-6344 or via email at:  marc@marcgilmartin.com . For more resources, check out www.malesurvivor.org

*1. Lisak, D, Hopper, J, Song, P (1996). Factors in the cycle of violence: Gender rigidity and emotional constriction. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9: 721-743
2. Finkelhor D, Hotaling G, Lewis IA, Smith C. (1990). Sexual abuse in a national survey of adult men and women: Prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors. Child Abuse and Neglect, 19:557-68