Sexual Victimization of Boys by Men

Abstract

Sexual abuse of boys by men and older boys has been misunderstood in the professional and lay literatures. Because they confuse same-sex victimization with a homosexual orientation, many abused boys, and the people they talk to about their abuse, understand it as a sign of the victim's or the abuser's homosexuality. These reactions will confuse how a boy processes his victimization, regardless of whether he was previously developing toward a homosexual or heterosexual orientation. Gay boys may see it as a sexual initiation rather than an abusive exploitation; straight boys may understand it as a sign that they are “really” gay. In addition, gay boys may fear that their orientation derives from their sexual abuse history. Both straight and gay boys may consider that the abuse is a sign that they are unmanly and weak.

Key Words:

• Sexual abuse
• homosexuality
• pedophilia
• sexual identity
• masculinity
• trauma
• gay bashing