Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive our hate, only love can do that. Martin Luther King Jnr
Aroha ki te tangata, Ahakoa ko wai te tangata.
Common Issues for Survivors
Many male survivors of sexual abuse who struggle to deal with what has happened to them share common challenges. Read about common issues and what may help you to address some of them.
Dealing with the Effects of Abuse
The impacts of child sexual abuse can be complex and severe. While it is not always the case, it is common that a man who has experienced child sexual abuse will experience a range of negative effects many years after the abuse.
Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts
You don’t need to go through this alone. Help is available.
Dealing with Flashbacks
Flashbacks can hit like lightning. Many men who have experienced sexual abuse are subjected to flashbacks.
Dealing with Nightmares
It is not unusual for men to experience trouble sleeping and have nightmares following child sexual abuse or sexual assault.
Dealing with Anger
Anger is a common and healthy emotion. There is nothing wrong with feeling angry. Anger can be evoked in a variety of situations, at home, at work, with friends or someone you’ve just met.
Dealing with Relationship Challenges
If your loved one or partner was sexually abused or sexually assaulted, this page details some of the relationship challenges you may be facing, and some ways of responding.
Developing Intimacy in Relationships
Information about intimacy, details of some of the difficulties a man who has experienced sexual victimization can face, along with suggestions on how to further develop intimacy in relationships.
Being a Man
Gender is a significant aspect of our personal identity. Gender plays a large part in how we live our lives and make sense of who we are. It also shapes both the experience of sexual abuse and how men respond.
Helping a Man at Risk of Suicide
It is distressing to realise that someone close to you may be considering suicide. This information will help you in helping someone with suicidal thoughts.
Disclosure of Abuse
One of the difficulties in establishing a picture of the extent and circumstances of childhood sexual abuse and male sexual assault is under-reporting.
Sexual Assault and Arousal
This page deals with the issue of male sexual assault and arousal. In it we try to address some of the questions relating to physiological arousal and sexuality that men report struggling with.