Why Is Healing From Male Child Sexual Abuse Important?
Why is healing from male child sexual abuse important?
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Child sexual abuse is one of the most important issues facing America today. While the sexual abuse of girls has gained some valuable attention, the sexual abuse of boys has, for the most part, remained a hidden epidemic until the recent news coverage of clergy abuse by priests in the Catholic Church of the abuse of both girls and boys. Alas, the attention drawn to the prevalence of the sexual abuse of boys is finally receiving received needed attention…but not enough.
The incidences of boyhood sexual abuse by clergy are only the tip of an enormous problem that deeply affects our boys, families, and communities. If we probe the issue further, we realize a significant portion of crime, perpetration of sexual abuse, mental health issues, and alcohol and drug abuse in our nation has its root in the sexual abuse of boys. Further publicizing the issue of child sexual abuse of boys is of crucial importance to paving the way for a significant male population to break the silence and shame in order for healing.
For the most part, the general public is still uneducated about the prevalence of the problem. Professionals, crisis and counseling centers, and those in the helping profession, are lacking in tools and educational materials to help boys and men survivors who are just starting to come forward for help. Thousands of male survivors, both boys and adults abused as children, still harbor their secrets. Many who do begin to seek help cannot find adequate resources. As Tony says in the documentary, Boys and Men Healing from Male Child Sexual Abuse, “when I called crisis centers, they always thought I was a perpetrator. I’d tell them, I’m not a perpetrator, I was raped as a boy.”
According to Prevent Child Abuse America, the sexual abuse of boys is common, underreported, under-recognized, and under-treated. Silence about sexual abuse is very common, many victims feel that they want to forget the event, protect the perpetrator, and have fear about the reactions if they were to tell. Underreporting in part is due to male survivor’s fear of social stigma against homosexual behavior, and male stereotypes of self-reliance and not being “weak.”
Although the need for advanced research on the topic of sexual abuse of boys is needed, findings have signaled the devastating impact of sexual abuse on boys. Prevent Child Abuse America states, “The outcomes of sexual abuse of boys can fall into three main categories: psychological distress (posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, paranoia, dissociation, somatization, bulimia, anger, aggressive behavior, poor self-image), substance abuse, and sexually related problems (sexual dysfunction, hypersexuality, sexually aggressive behavior, and confused sexual identity. Studies have indicated that sexually abused boys and girls have significantly more emotional problems, behavior problems and suicidal thoughts and attempts than their non-abused counterparts. In addition, it seems that the experience of sexual abuse has more severe and complex consequences for boys than for girls in respect to emotional and behavioral problems.”
According to The National Institute for Mental Health, “the psychological consequences in adulthood of childhood sexual abuse have been understudied to date and are believed to constitute a significant mental health problem among adults.” Negative effects include, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, borderline personality disorder, paranoia, bulimia, anger, aggressive behavior, extreme substance abuse and criminal behavior, sexually related problems and sexual risk taking. These outcomes often lead to advanced crime. Studies indicate that abused boys have significantly more emotional and behavioral problems, and suicidal thoughts and attempts than those who have not been sexually abused. It is found that female adolescent survivors internalize behaviors, while male adolescents engage in externalizing behaviors.
Child Abuse America concludes that therapy for the victims include reducing or preventing the negative effects from occurring, helping the victim in achieving normal development for his or her age, and preventing further abuse from occurring or being unreported. Clinicians working with these children and adolescents may use group therapy, cognitive therapy, or behavior techniques to help the victim come to terms with emotions, to be able to manage behavior and life, and to relearn acceptable behavior and normal sexual activity.
According to research done by
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