Male sexual abuse occurs far more commonly than previously suspected, yet too few victims ever seek support. Countless remain silent. They cope through avoidance, isolation, substance abuse, hyper-masculinity, etc.
Men Too: Unspoken Truths About Male Sexual Abuse is for male survivors and their supporters. It is an educational, heart-wrenching look at 13 male sexual abuse victims experience, written from the perspective of a retired police officer and registered psychologist.
Using their narrative accounts Dr. Palfy offers:
- Healing for male victims through insight and support.
- Strategies for parents and teachers to identify the grooming tactics of predators, plus suggestions to better protect children.
- Information for helping professionals to recognize traumatized boys and men, plus explanations for why male victims often remain silent for so long.
Conversations about male sexual abuse need to increase. Men Too highlights the complex and unique barriers boys and men face during and after abuse. Help put them on the road to recovery.
Cuprins
Cautionary Note
Introducing the Life of Jacob
PART 1: UNDERSTANDING OFFENDERS
PART 2: “THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME”
The Men
Aaron: “I Didn’t Know Much About Sex”
Ricky: “I Liked the Attention”
Jacob: “How Could I Do That?”
Anthony: “Talk About It and It Will Kill You”
Garrett: “I Knew Something was Wrong”
Gordon: “My Dirty Little Secret”
Josh: “I Thought It Was My Fault”
Leon: “I Didn’t Remember”
Phillip: “It Never Occurred to Me that I Should Tell”
Leonard: “Why Do You Hate Your Mother so Much?”
Michael: “We Don’t Talk About That Kind of Stuff”
Allen: “I Thought I was Going to be in Trouble”
Julien: “He Stole My Voice”
PART 3: BARRIERS TO DISCLOSURE: WHY MEN DON’T DISCUSS SEXUAL ABUSE
PART 4: IDENTIFYING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
PART 5: WHAT ADULTS CAN DO TO PREVENT ABUSE OR DETECT IT SOONER
PART 6 A GLANCE AT THE BIGGER PICTURE OF ADULT MALE SEXUAL ABUSE
Conclusion
Appendix
Acknowledgments
Endnotes