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The Male Survivor: The Impact of Sexual Abuse.

Matthew P. Mendel.

Sage (1995).

ISBN: 0803954417.

The book examines the prevalence, social under-recognition, psychological consequences, and long-term effects of sexual abuse experienced by boys and men; it draws on a national study involving questionnaires and personal interviews.

Main findings

• Male sexual abuse was more extensive than commonly recognized. Mendel’s survey documented a wide range of abusive acts and circumstances, challenging the idea that abuse of boys was usually minor or exceptional.
• Perpetrators were not exclusively men. His findings drew attention to abuse committed by both male and female perpetrators, as well as abuse involving same-sex and opposite-sex victimization—patterns often obscured by conventional stereotypes.
• The consequences were long-term. Survivors could experience depression, anxiety, diminished self-esteem, sexual difficulties, problems with intimacy, and difficulties in relationships and everyday functioning.
• Male survivors often faced distinctive forms of confusion and shame. Cultural beliefs that men should be sexually knowledgeable, physically powerful, and emotionally self-reliant could make it difficult for them to identify the experience as abuse, disclose it, or seek help.
• Disclosure and recognition were inhibited by social myths. Mendel argued that the under-recognition of male abuse increased survivors’ isolation and limited the likelihood that they would receive appropriate treatment.
• Existing theories needed modification. He concluded that models developed mainly from research on female survivors could not simply be applied to men; the male experience required attention to masculinity, sexual identity, shame, power, and social expectations.

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Coram Deo — before the face of God. This blog reflects on Scripture, world events, science, music, psychology, and the human mind — always through the lens of Christian faith. All of life is lived before the face of God.