You would just be waiting to get clowned
If that came out [that you were sexually assaulted] by a girl, or even a man, it doesn't matter, I feel like the reaction you would be thinking of would be, “Wow, you let that happen to you? Wow, you’re weak”. Like, "Why or how did you let that happen?" I feel like you would just be waiting to get clowned. You’re getting made fun of just because you’re a man who was sexually assaulted. I mean, it happens, but the reaction you think you’re going to get is like, “Wow, you let that happen to you?" Like, "How did you let that happen to you?” I feel like that's why a lot of people don’t come out with it: because they don’t want to be clowned by their peers.
Recommendations
-
Consider how a student's identities might affect their expectations and concerns when accessing supports following a sexual assault, or when involved in a sexual assault investigation.
-
Including male students across cultures in discussions of sexual violence, gender stereotypes, and stereotypes of masculinity.
-
Present learning materials in a way that is helpful to a friend supporting a victim/survivor.
-
Ensure all sexual violence prevention and response education and training opportunities actively deconstruct victim-blaming, rape myths and gender norms. Ensure these sessions take an intersectional approach to understanding sexual violence and supporting victim/survivors.
-
In education and awareness campaigns, highlight the fact that a significant percentage of men have experienced sexual violence in their lives.