Male Sexual Assault Survivors
How Can a Lawyer Help Male Sexual Abuse Survivors?
Male sexual assault and abuse can cause long-term harm to a man’s physical health, emotional well-being, and his relationships. The unique challenges men face from societal stigma and being barred from certain gender-specific resources (like abused women’s shelters) create additional costs and damages for male survivors that a lawsuit can help address.
We understand that sexual assault is a deeply personal and traumatic experience, regardless of gender. Sadly, male survivors often face distinct obstacles when seeking justice and support. This can lead to underreporting of sexual assaults on men, and more importantly an underserving in the area of survivor resources, support, and justice.
Our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers led by Jessica Pride is here to provide compassionate and experienced legal representation to male survivors of sexual assault. We believe in empowering survivors and fighting for their rights, working tirelessly to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you know has experienced male sexual assault, we are here to offer our support, guidance, and legal experience throughout the entire process. Your voice, your life, and your bodily autonomy matter, and we are committed to helping you navigate the legal system to find closure, vindication, and a better path forward.
Contact our attorneys online or by calling (619) 516-8166 for immediate assistance in a free, confidential consultation. For more information on how sexual assault or abuse impacts men, read on.
What Is Considered Male Sexual Abuse?
Male sexual abuse encompasses a range of non-consensual sexual assaults or activities inflicted upon boys or men. It involves any form of unwanted sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the individual's consent or against their will.
Male sexual abuse can include but is not limited to:
- Non-consensual sexual touching or groping
- Forced or coerced sexual acts, such as oral sex or intercourse
- Penetration of any orifice on the body without consent (also known as rape)
- Sexual exploitation, including grooming, pornography, or sex trafficking
- Sexual harassment, such as unwelcome advances, comments, or gestures
- Inappropriate sexual behavior by authority figures, caregivers, or trusted individuals
- Ritualistic abuse involving sexual acts (such as fraternity hazing)
The impact of male sexual abuse can be profound, leading to physical, emotional, and psychological trauma for the survivor. Seeking support, justice, and healing is crucial for those who have experienced male sexual abuse. Our lawyers can help facilitate that journey with compassion and professionalism.
Challenges Can Be Overcome
Male sexual abuse can occur at any age and in different settings, such as youth groups, religious institutions, workplaces, or public spaces. It can also be complicated in instances involving a man’s health or addictions, his prison or immigration status, or his gay or trans identity.
None of these intersecting factors mean you are any less deserving of justice — our attorneys know how to overcome these challenges on your behalf. Contact us at (619) 516-8166 for a fully confidential consultation about what you need and how legal action can deliver those results
What Are the Long-Term Costs of Sexual Abuse for Men?
Sexual abuse can have significant long-term costs for men, impacting various aspects of their lives. Here are some common long-term effects that male survivors of sexual abuse may experience:
- Psychological: Sexual abuse can lead to long-lasting psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt and shame, disordered eating, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.
- Physical: Survivors of sexual abuse may experience physical health issues resulting from the abuse, or as a consequence of trauma-related sexual dysfunction — persistent difficulties with arousal, erectile disorders, performance anxiety, loss of sexual desire, or discomfort or aversion to sexual activities.
- Interpersonal: Survivors of sexual abuse may struggle with establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Trust issues, difficulties with intimacy and vulnerability, fear of intimacy, and challenges with establishing boundaries can affect a man’s ability to form and sustain emotional connections.
It is important to remember that each survivor's experience is unique, and the long-term effects can vary based on a person’s age or other circumstances. Seeking support, therapy, and specialized trauma-informed care can assist male survivors in addressing these injuries and working toward healing and recovery. A lawsuit may be your best path to access the funds needed to afford the care you deserve.
How Common Is Sexual Assault on Men?
According to official health sources, sexual assault against men is a significant issue in the United States. Some statistics on male sexual assault include:
- About 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime.
- Roughly 1 in 14 men have been made to penetrate someone during their lifetime.
- More than 1 in 38 men in the U.S. have experienced completed or attempted rape victimization in their lifetime.
Each one of these figures represents a boy or man who has been violated, traumatized, and in many instances left struggling to understand what happened to him or where he should turn for help. Our attorneys are one of the frontline resources you can contact right away for legal advice and relevant support.
Contact Sexual Assault Attorneys for Men
It is essential to understand that male sexual abuse is a severe violation of an individual's rights, and can have profound physical, emotional, and psychological consequences. Men also experience unique gender-specific challenges due to social stigmas surrounding masculinity, and the sometimes exclusionary nature of survivor resources developed primarily for women and girls.
Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit could help vindicate your reputation, spur consequences to those who harmed you, and provide financial support for medical treatments, lost wages, or other damages you’ve suffered.
Why Hire Jessica Pride
Our firm has years of experience delivering successful results for clients who thought justice might be out of reach for any number of reasons — they were intoxicated at the time, or imprisoned, or undocumented, or maligned by their abuser. Male assault survivors often have similar doubts that they won’t be believed, or that their injuries will not be recognized as valid, but the law is on your side and so are we.
Contact Jessica Pride at (619) 516-8166 for a dedicated fighter for all sexual assault survivors. Our team is ready to hear your story, help you assess your options, and jump into action to secure the justice you deserve. If you prefer to speak to a male about your experience, founding partner Dante Pride is also available for free consultations.
Don’t count yourself out — sexual assault recovery resources belong to men too, as does your access to justice in a civil injury lawsuit.
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Male Sexual Assault Survivors FAQs
Can a man be sexually assaulted by a woman?
Yes, a man can be sexually assaulted by a woman. Sexual assault is not limited to any specific gender combination, and it can occur when someone is forced or coerced into engaging in sexual activity without their consent. It is important to recognize and support all survivors of sexual assault, regardless of their gender or the identity of the perpetrator.
Does sexual assault affect men differently than women?
Men who experience sexual assault may face unique struggles when it comes to societal attitudes and perceptions surrounding their victimhood. There can be a stigma associated with male victimization leading to disbelief, ridicule, or a lack of support from friends, family, and other community members. Additionally, reporting rates for male survivors may be lower due to conventional expectations of masculinity, which can make it challenging for them to seek help and support.
Why are men less likely to report sexual assault compared to women?
Men are often less likely to report sexual assault due to various factors such as stigma, societal expectations, fear of judgment, disbelief, and misconceptions about male victimization. Underreporting can make it challenging to obtain accurate statistics, and isolates those who’ve experienced sexual misconduct from the self-care and support resources they’re entitled to benefit from.
How long do men have to file a sexual assault lawsuit?
The deadline for filing a sexual assault lawsuit depends on your state. The Pride Law Firm is located in San Diego, where California law allows survivors to file a claim within ten years from the date of the sexual assault. There may also be an extended period known as a “lookback window” for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Contact our attorneys at (619) 516-8166 for questions and timeframes related to your specific circumstances before the clock runs out.The truth is, male sexual assault survivors face their own unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to reporting their assault. The following are a few main reasons why men don’t often share when they’ve been assaulted.