The men in therapy often times would create a fake reason for being in treatment when asked about it. Outside of the military, men often expressed worry over seeking out therapy at sexual victim centers because those places are labeled a “feminine space,” and they worry that they won’t be welcome or that both men and women will hold them in a lower regard. The one exception when it comes to adult males reporting or seeking help for sexual assault is when the assault occurred during childhood. Males may be more likely to report childhood sexual abuse because it does not affect their identity as an adult male and the gender norms that go along with being an adult male (Artime, McCallum & Peterson, 2014). Males are less likely to report their assault when it occurs during adulthood. They may deny or diminish their victimization to neutralize the distressing gender conflict or threat to their masculinity rather than seek out help. They may also self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, or engage in risky sexual or physical
The men in therapy often times would create a fake reason for being in treatment when asked about it. Outside of the military, men often expressed worry over seeking out therapy at sexual victim centers because those places are labeled a “feminine space,” and they worry that they won’t be welcome or that both men and women will hold them in a lower regard. The one exception when it comes to adult males reporting or seeking help for sexual assault is when the assault occurred during childhood. Males may be more likely to report childhood sexual abuse because it does not affect their identity as an adult male and the gender norms that go along with being an adult male (Artime, McCallum & Peterson, 2014). Males are less likely to report their assault when it occurs during adulthood. They may deny or diminish their victimization to neutralize the distressing gender conflict or threat to their masculinity rather than seek out help. They may also self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, or engage in risky sexual or physical