Serving Male Survivors

The training explains that male survivors often face significant stigma and barriers to disclosure and support. Societal expectations that men should be strong, dominant, emotionally controlled, and self-reliant can cause survivors to experience shame, self-blame, questions about their masculinity, and reluctance to seek help. The historical focus on violence against women can also make male survivors feel invisible or excluded from sexual violence services. The training highlights that men experience sexual violence at significant rates, including in childhood, the military, and correctional settings, while often taking longer to recognize or disclose their experiences.