Abstract
Research suggests that in the United States one in six boys is directly victimized sexually by age 16. It has also become increasingly apparent in recent years that adult men, like women, are subject to sexual abuse, harassment, and assault. In order to treat this population, it is crucial that mental health clinicians be aware of the unique challenges male victims face in processing this trauma. This presentation addresses these special challenges. Particular attention will be
paid to the themes of male gender socialization, sexual orientation concerns, and myths that interfere with men being open about their histories or even recognizing their sexual betrayal.
Topics include:
- Prevalence figures
- The interpersonal core of sexual betrayal trauma
- Range of possible abusers
- Cultural myths that make it difficult for men to acknowledge having been victimized
- Further myths that interfere with boys and men processing sexual betrayal
- Abuse by male vs. female victimizers
- Specific concerns about victimization by a male predator for boys whether they are already growing into predominantly gay or predominantly straight sexual orientations
- The question of whether sexually abused boys almost inevitably become sexually abusing men
Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation the participants will be able to:
1. Explain how masculine gender socialization affects boys' and men's processing of sexual abuse experiences.
2. Identify how concerns about homosexuality affect boys' and men's processing of sexual abuse experiences.
3. Describe the effect on sexually victimized boys and men of the stereotype that sexually abused boys inevitably grow up to become sexually abusing men.
Biography
Dr. Richard Gartner is a leading expert in the treatment of sexually abused men and the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association’s Division of Trauma Psychology (Div. 56). He is the Founding Director of the Sexual Abuse Service at the William Alanson White Psychoanalytic Institute, where he also serves as a Training and
Supervising Analyst, and is a faculty member at the Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis. Co-founder of MaleSurvivor.org, Dr. Gartner has presented his work at universities and hospitals worldwide. He has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and Playboy, with appearances on 20/20, NPR, CNN, and MSNBC. His groundbreaking books include Betrayed as Boys (1999), Beyond Betrayal (2005), Trauma and Countertrauma (2017), Understanding the Sexual Betrayal of Boys and Men (2018), and Healing Sexually Betrayed Men and Boys (2018). Dr. Gartner has received numerous honors, including the William Friedrich Memorial Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Award, the APA Trauma Psychology Division’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Practice, and the White Institute Director’s Award. MaleSurvivor established the Richard Gartner Award for Clinical Contribution in recognition of his pioneering work. Dr. Gartner maintains a private practice in New York City, where he works with individual adults and couples as well as with therapy groups of men with sexual abuse histories.
References
Easton, S. D., & Parchment, T. M. (2021). “The whole wall fell apart, and I felt free for the first time”: Men’s perceptions of helpful responses during discussion of child sexual abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 112, 104922.
Rapsey, C., Campbell, A., Clearwater, K., & Patterson, T. (2017). Listening to the therapeutic needs of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(9-10), 2033–54.
Weare, S. (2021). “I feel permanently traumatized by it”: Physical and emotional impacts reported by men forced to penetrate women in the United Kingdom. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(13-14), 6621–6646.
