Breaking The Silence: Understanding Sexual Abuse Against Men In A Global Gender Rights Context
- IJLLR Journal
- 23 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Ananya Mangalam, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
ABSTRACT
Sexual abuse of men remains a critical issue that is often overlooked within the broader field of gender and sexuality law. Despite growing evidence of substantial prevalence, male survivors continue to face widespread invisibility, stigma, and underreporting across societies worldwide. Research shows that as many as one in six men have experienced some form of sexual assault during their lifetime, with prevalence rates varying globally but consistently revealing a hidden epidemic. This silence is compounded by entrenched masculine norms that stigmatize vulnerability and question male victimhood, leaving many survivors without access to adequate support or legal recognition.
The importance of a transnational and comparative analysis lies in understanding how different legal systems, cultural contexts, and international human rights frameworks either contribute to or challenge this invisibility. By examining how male survivors are recognized, protected, or denied justice across various countries, we gain insight into evolving legal norms and the potential for inclusive reforms. Such a perspective also highlights how global movements for gender and sexual rights intersect with the experiences of male survivors, revealing pathways for advocacy, improved support mechanisms, and legal acknowledgment that transcend national boundaries.
Male sexual abuse cannot be isolated from the broader discussions of gender and sexuality because legal recognition and social acceptance of survivors are deeply influenced by prevailing beliefs about masculinity, sexuality, and power. While significant strides have been made in advancing the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals, male survivors often remain marginalized within these conversations. This exclusion not only hampers their access to justice but also perpetuates damaging stereotypes that silence victims and enable perpetrators to evade accountability. In conclusion, robust and authentic data combined with intersectional analysis provide a nuanced, comprehensive picture of male sexual abuse at national and global levels.
Keywords: male survivors, stereotypes, Sexuality law, LGBTQ+
