Men’s Health Week 2022

At Moray Rape Crisis we support adults and young people, aged 11 and over, of any gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, and religious and cultural background. This includes male survivors.

Men’s Health Week 2022 shines a light on the issues men face in terms of physical and mental health and well-being, and encourages men to take time to look after themselves. During this week we wish to highlight that our service is fully inclusive of male survivors. It doesn’t matter when the abuse took place, it could be recent or in the past, regardless we can support you.

Anyone can experience sexual violence. Men who have experienced sexual violence may have particular worries and fears, and can face barriers to accessing support.

Sexual violence affects men in different ways. The impacts can be wide-ranging. Male survivors may experience symptoms of trauma, or feel anxious, angry, confused, ashamed, isolated, depressed or suicidal.

There can be an assumption in society that ‘real’ men cannot be raped or abused, as they should be able to defend themselves; however people react involuntarily to danger, attack, fear or threat. This is the flight, freeze or fight response (a bodily response to a traumatic event), and people cannot control how they react in situations like this; it’s the body trying to protect itself. Not fighting or running away does not mean you let it happen. Not remembering what happened does not mean it didn’t happen.

Some male survivors may question whether the sexual violence they experienced has had an impact on their sexual orientation, or feel uncomfortable or uncertain about their sexual identity. Some trans men may find that their experience of sexual violence increases their dysphoria, or impacts on how they feel about their transition or gender identity. Being sexually abused has nothing to do with your sexual orientation or gender identity. Sexual violence happens because of who the abuser is, not who you are.

If you have experienced sexual violence, you are not to blame. The person who harmed you is responsible.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO HEAL FROM SEXUAL VIOLENCE. MORAY RAPE CRISIS CAN HELP WITH THIS

If you are a man affected by sexual violence, you are not alone. You can contact us for support by phone on 01343 550407 or email at contact@morayrapecrisis.scot. We will listen to what you say, believe you and treat you with respect.

You can also contact the Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline, each day from 5pm to midnight, on 08088 01 03 02, or by texting 07537 410 027 or emailing support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk.

Please see here for additional information and resources for male survivors.