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In order to deconstruct the

Myths and biais

Myths and biais

There are still many myths in our culture about men who have experienced sexual violence. These myths, although they may seem accepted to some, still have an influence in the perception of these men and the population.

Having the right information on these myths allows us to help deconstruct them and build a fair and respectful society. Then, sharing this information helps remove the feeling of guilt or shame that these men may carry and helps them move towards recovery.

Together, let’s break the taboos!

MYTH​

It is rare for men to experience sexual violence

REALITY
It is estimated that between 1 in 5 and 1 in 10 men will experience sexual violence

This proportion represents between 435,000 and 870,000 men in Quebec. The prevalence of violence among men is even higher among certain groups at higher risk, such as men from GBTQ+ communities, students, First Nations and Inuit men and men with disabilities.

Considering the important issues that hinder the disclosure of these men, it is possible to believe that the statistics greatly underrepresent the reality of sexual violence experienced by men.

Source
MYTH​

The consequences are less serious in men

REALITY
The scientific literature tends to identify similarities regarding the impacts of sexual violence, on a physical and psychological level, on men and women *1

Studies have shown associations with a wide and complex range of long-term negative effects on psychological functioning, impacts on daily life, interpersonal skills and self-image *2.

Source

*1 Cashmore et Shackel, 2014; Peterson, Voller, Polusny et Murdoch, 2011 ;Struckman-Johnson et Struckman-Johnson, 2006

*2 Bullock et Beckson, 2011 ; Davies, Walker, Archer et Pollard, 2010; Godbout al., 2023; Peterson, Voller, Polusny et Murdoch, 2011; Tewksbury, 2007 ; Walker, Archer et Davies, 2005; Weiss, 2010

MYTH​

A boy who is the victim of sexual abuse will become an aggressor in his turn

REALITY
The majority of victims of childhood sexual violence will not commit sexual acts in turn.

70 to 88% of men do not repeat acts of sexual abuse *1.

Having been sexually violenced as a child appears neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition to reproduce sexual violence *2.

Source

*1 Salter et coll., 2003

*2 Whitaker, Hanson, Baker, McMahon, Ryan et al., 2008

MYTH​

A boy abused by a man is homosexual or has become one

REALITY
A person’s sexual orientation is a complex reality; no theory can explain what leads a person to define themselves as a particular sexual orientation.

However, sexual violence among men can have consequences on identity, on questioning of sexual orientation or on the sense of masculinity *.

Source

* Baljon, 2011; Godbout, Lebeau, Brassard, Deslauriers, Fernet, Hébert et al., 2023; Struckman-Johnson et Struckman-Johnson, 2006 ; Walker, Archer et Davies, 2005; Weiss, 2010

MYTH​

A man is supposed to be able to defend himself

REALITY
Freezing is a normal reaction to a traumatic event, including sexual violence, regardless of its gender. He may have frozen out of fear, fear of threats or fear of greater violence if he resists.

This myth exists since autonomy is at the heart of masculine identity *1. This autonomy is also understood in the fact of being able to defend oneself and escape a conflict situation *2. Thus, autonomy and vulnerability appear as an opposition in traditional masculine socialization 3*.

It is important to break stereotypes of traditional masculinity.

Source

*1 Roy, Tremblay, Guilmette, Bizot, Dupéré et Houle, 2014

*2 Davies, Pollard et Archer, 2001

*3 Roy, Tremblay, Guilmette, Bizot, Dupéré et Houle, 2014

MYTH​

The agressor are always men

REALITY
There is a significant proportion of sexual aggressor who are women.

Childhood sexual abuse in Quebec : 1 in 4 times (26%) the attacker was a woman (n=199) *1. In Canada in 2018, 56% of men (aged 15 and over) reported that a woman was responsible for the most serious sexual violence suffered in the previous year *2

Internationally : Victimization study, between 14.1% to 52%. Studies of crimes reported between ≈1% to 12% *3

Source

*1 Godbout et al., 2023

*2 Cotter et Savage, 2019

*3 Saradjian, 2010

MYTH​

A boy or man sexually violenceed by a woman should consider himself lucky

REALITY
Men have the right to refuse or not want to have sexual contact!

This myth is associated with a trait of traditional masculinity where men have great sexual needs and are valued for their sexual confidence *1. This assumes that men are always willing to have sex and assumes that they cannot refuse it *2.

This myth also exist among GBTQ+ men where refusal of sexuality can be misperceived.

Source

*1 Guionnet et Neveu, 2009

*2 Sakaluk et coll., 2014

MYTH​

A boy or man who had an erection was aroused by his sexual violence

REALITY
Having an erection is not a symbol of consent or pleasure.

An erection is a physiological reaction of the body when stimulated (or even by fear). It is possible that a man had an erection and an orgasm during a traumatic event.

This phenomenon is also observed in women who will sometimes have vaginal secretions to lubricate themselves during a sexual violence.

Source