Beck, A. J., & Hughes, T. A. (2005). Sexual violence reported by correctional authorities, 2004. Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 210333. Available online at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/svrca04.htm

Given the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, this study provides a review of the 2004 administrative survey of sexual violence in adult and juvenile corrections (public and private prisons, jails, juvenile facilities, and others). Sexual violence was measured as nonconsensual sexual acts, abusive sexual contacts, staff sexual misconduct, and staff sexual harassment. Results of the review revealed that 5,528 allegations of sexual violence were recorded in 2004, with prison systems reporting 42% of those allegations. Specifically, staff sexual misconduct yielded the highest rate (with 1.31 allegations/1,000 inmates) and inmate-on-inmate nonconsensual acts yielded the second highest rate (1.16 allegations/1,000 inmates). Additional rates are reviewed concerning substantiated incidents, victim and perpetrator demographics, and administrative responses to sexual violence within corrections.

Topics: Male rape; prevalence; prison rape; underserved populations

Coxell, A. W., & King, M. B. (1996). Male victims of rape and sexual abuse. Sexual & Marital Therapy, 11, 297-308.

This article reviews the sexual assault of adult males. A number of myths concerning the survivors, perpetrators, and plausibility of such assaults are critically examined. Sexual assault prevalence data from 1,480 males is presented. The results from a study of coercion in gay relationships is also included. The problems that males reported after sexual assault are discussed. These problems include: PTSD, sexual problems, difficulties forming close relationships, mistrust of adult men, suicide attempts, confusion about sexual orientation, and various mood disorders. Sexual assault by females (which is comparatively rare) tends to leave men less traumatized than sexual assaults by men because these types of assaults are less likely to involve physical force and because same-sex sexual contact, which is traumatic in itself to heterosexual males, is not involved.

Topics: Effects; male rape; perpetration; survivors

Darves-Bornoz, J. M., Choquet, M., Ledoux, S., Gasquet, I., & Manfredi, R. (1998). Gender differences in symptoms of adolescents reporting sexual assault. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 33, 111-117.

While the sexual assault of children and adolescents is widely studied, there has been a lack of research examining issues related to male victims. This study reports on a nationwide survey of school-age adolescents in France. In all, 121 boys and 344 girls reported having been sexually assaulted (mean age 15.4 years). Results indicated that girls exhibited more somatic symptoms and mood disorders while boys more frequently demonstrated behavioral symptoms such as running away, suicide attempts, violent outbursts, and substance use.

Topics: Adolescent/high school; effects; male rape

Hensley, C., Koscheski, M., & Tewksbury, R. (2005). Examining the characteristics of male sexual assault targets in a southern maximum-security prison. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20, 667-679.

The topic of prison sexuality, in particular male inmate sexual assault, has not received enough attention. In this paper, the authors present an overview of the literature concerning sexual victimization among inmates whereby the purpose of this study is to elucidate demographic and behavioral characteristics of targets of sexual assault within correctional facilities. The sample included 142 inmates from within a maximum-security correctional facility for men. Inmates were given a questionnaire that included items addressing consensual inmate sex and sexual coercion/assault. Results demonstrated that, while incarcerated, 18.3% of the sample had been sexual targets and 8.5% had been sexually assaulted. Additional findings are presented along with a discussion of the significance of sexual orientation as a risk factor for sexual victimization during incarceration.

Topics: Male rape; prevalence; prison rape; risk

Hodge, S., & Canter, D. (1998). Victims and perpetrators of male sexual assault. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 13, 222-239.

The authors report two different accounts of male sexual assault in the literature. The first view is that rapes are perpetrated by homosexual offenders. The other view is that rape is predominantly an example of heterosexual violence. This article reports on the results a study constructed to explore both possibilities. Data from 83 male sexual assault victims and 36 investigated police reports was reviewed. Results indicated that homosexual offenders knew their victims for some time and targeted males under the age of 25 years. Heterosexual offenders were more likely to attack strangers of all ages and tended to operate in gangs. Consistent with the literature on the rape of females, the data indicated that the acquaintance rape was less likely to be reported to the police.

Topics: Male rape

Isely, P. J., Busse, W., & Isely, P. (1998). Sexual assault of males in late adolescence: A hidden phenomenon. Professional School Counseling, 2, 153-160.

Recently a small body of research has shown that adolescent males, 16 years of age and older, are at risk of sexual assault. The sexual assault of adolescent males, however, has not been thoroughly explored. Much like sexually abused children, these survivors display significant emotional difficulties as a consequence of the sexual assault. An awareness of this type of abuse may assist in the early identification and treatment of this unacknowledged population.

Topics: Adolescent/high school; male rape; underserved populations

Isely, P. J., & Gehrenbeck-Shim, D. (1997). Sexual assault of men in the community. Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 159-166.

This study reports on an attempt to determine the extent of male sexual assault. Agencies that work with sexual assault victims (N = 172) reported contact with 3,635 men who had sought treatment for sexual assault. Most assaults occurred between the ages of 16 and 30 years and a majority of these men experienced symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Topics: Effects; male rape

King, M., & Woollett, E. (1997). Sexually assaulted males: 115 men consulting a counseling service. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 26, 579-588.

Data was collected on 115 male sexual assault victims who were seen at least once for face-to-face counseling. Analysis revealed that 69 men were assaulted prior to age 16 years. The average time from assault to obtaining counseling services was 16.4 years. Fifty-one men were assaulted more than once. The perpetrator was known to the victim in the majority of cases. One-hundred respondents were assaulted by one or more men. Of the sample, 88 men did not seek help at the time and only 17 men reported the assault to the police. Victims under the age of 16, who were assaulted, were more likely to report that this was their first sexual experience. Victims under the age of 16 were also more likely to delay contact with counseling and less likely to report to police. Victims assaulted by more than one person were less likely to have experienced the incident as their first sexual experience, more likely to have been assaulted by strangers, and to have suffered physical injuries.

Topics: Effects; male rape

Kuhn, J. A., Arellano, C. M., & Chavez, E. L. (1998). Correlates of sexual assault in Mexican American and White non-Hispanic adolescent males. Violence & Victims, 13, 11-20.

Psychosocial and emotional variables were assessed for a sample of 1,385 Mexican American and White non-Hispanic adolescent males. Among those sampled, 54 males reported being sexually assaulted one or more times. Adolescent male victims were on average more socially isolated, emotionally distressed, and socially maladjusted (e.g., they exhibited more behaviors such as lying and stealing). These males were also more likely to affiliate with deviant peers and to come from homes with substance use, compared to males who were not reporting sexual assault. Significant differences between Mexican American and White non-Hispanic assault victims were not found.

Topics: Adolescent/high school; male rape; racial/ethnic differences

Stermac, L., Del Bove, G., Addison, M. (2004). Stranger and acquaintance sexual assault of adult males. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 901-915. [Posted December 2006.]

Key Points: Sexual assaults of males by strangers tend to occur outdoors and are more likely to involve weapons and multiple perpetrators than assaults perpetrated by acquaintances. Severity and types of injuries due to sexual assault are similar in men and women.

Abstract: In this descriptive study, researchers looked at the records of three groups of clients at a Canadian Sexual Assault Care Center: male victims of stranger assault (n=64); male victims of non-stranger assault (n=81); and female victims of non-stranger assault (n=106).

Male survivors from both groups were more likely to be living in shelters, institutions (such as transitional housing) or on the street. They were also significantly more likely to have a physical disability than female victims of non-stranger assault.

While acquaintance assaults of men and women usually took place in the assailant’s home (44.3% vs. 43.4%), male acquaintance assaults were significantly more likely to take place in an institution (10.1% vs 0%). Stranger assaults of men were more likely to take place outside, involve multiple perpetrators, and involve use of a weapon, although injuries were similar among the groups. All received similar levels of care at the hospital, although men were admitted more often than women.

The findings suggested that men who were homeless and disabled were at higher risk for sexual assault by strangers, and that safer housing options were needed.

Topics: Injury; male rape; vulnerability

Stermac, L., Sheridan, P. M., Davidson, A., & Dunn, S. (1996). Sexual assault of adult males. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 11, 52-64.

This study examines the instance and characteristics of sexual assault against 29 males (aged 18–65 years) who were seen in a crisis unit. The men's personal history, demographic, and assault information were reviewed. Results showed that 86% of the sexual assaults involved male perpetrators, one involved a female perpetrator, and two involved both. Within this sample, 50% of the male-male assaults and both of the female-male assaults involved friends or acquaintances. Most victims were young gay men, many of whom had cognitive or physical disabilities that made them vulnerable; however, only a few of the stranger assaults appeared to be related to antigay violence.

Topics: Lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender; male rape

Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000a). Extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey (NCJ 181867). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice.

This report presents findings from the National Violence Against Women (NVAW) Survey on the extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence in the United States. The survey compares victimization rates among 16,000 women and men, specific racial groups, Hispanics and non-Hispanics, and same-sex and opposite-sex cohabitants. It also examines risk factors associated with intimate partner violence, the rate of injury among rape and physical assault victims, injured victims' use of medical services, and victims' involvement with the justice system. (*ADHS funded agencies can request a copy of this report by contacting the RPEP office. The report can also be obtained directly from publications section of the National Institute of Justice website: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/.)

Topics: Legal responses; male rape; racial/ethnic differences; risk

 

Vearnals, S., & Campbell, T. (2001). Male victims of male sexual assault: A review of psychological consequences and treatment. Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 16, 279-286.

Recently in the UK, males were incorporated into the definition of rape. Prior to that, it was legally impossible for a male to be a victim of sexual assault. Not only in the UK but worldwide, the issue of male sexual assault is underaddressed. The authors discuss the health consequences of MSA, the lack of research in this area, and they stress the need for appropriate treatment interventions for victims. Further research is urged in this area; especially in the epidemiology of MSA, the emotional, physical and psychological consequences, and the most effective psychological interventions.

Topics: Male rape; treatment

Walker, J., Archer, J., & Davies, M. (2005). Effects of rape on men: A descriptive analysis. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 34, 69-80. [Posted December 2006.]

Key Points: Male victims of rape tend to react in an emotionally “controlled” way (calm, composed or subdued) immediately after the event. Long-term effects of sexual assault on men include depression, anger, anxiety, and emotional distancing from others.

Abstract: To describe the experiences of male rape victims who were not in a clinical setting, men who had been anally raped were recruited to participate in a mail-in survey. Forty men provided details of the assault, their immediate reactions, and the long-term effects. Seventy percent of the men were between the ages of 16-25 when the incident occurred. Only 10% of the rapes were committed by strangers.

Most men (87%) felt frozen fear, helplessness, or submission during the attack, although some (27%) were able to fight back at least somewhat. The majority of men reported that feeling helpless and out of control was worse than the sexual aspects of the assault. Almost all of the men reported long-term depression as a consequence of the assault, and most experienced long-term confusion about their sexual identity.

Recommendations included providing male victims the same support services offered to women, and more community education and outreach to increase awareness of the prevalence and impact of male rape.

Topics: Effects; male rape; survivors

Wolff, N., Blitz, C., Shi, J., Bachman, R., Siegel, J. (2006). Sexual violence inside prisons: Rates of victimization. Journal of Urban Health, 83, 835-848. [Posted October 2006.]

Key Points: Sexual victimization in prisons (including sexual contact and nonconsensual sex acts) occurs most frequently between female inmates.

Abstract: To estimate the prevalence of sexual violence in a prison system, male (n=6,964) and female inmates (n=564) in twelve prisons in a small eastern state completed a computer-assisted survey. Inmates were asked about incidents involving abusive sexual contact and non-consensual sex acts by other inmates or by prison staff within the last 6 months. Females reported inmate-on-inmate sexual violence at 212 incidents per 1000 inmates while males reported only 43 incidents per 1000 inmates. Rates of non-consensual sex (inmate on inmate) were 32 per 1000 for women and 15 per for men. Staff-on-inmate sexual victimization rates were the same for men and women (76 per 1000), with men reporting 19 per 1000 incidents of non-consensual sex vs. 17 per 1000 for women.

This study had a good response rate (average 39%) from all inmates housed in general population. Because rates of sexual violence varied by the site, future studies should look at factors that can minimize risks. Inmate experiences of trauma and disease from forced sex should be addressed to prevent them from contributing to the ill health of their community when they are released. 

Topics: Male rape; prevalence; prison rape; underserved populations

Updated 08/01/07