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Speaking About the Unspeakable: Sexually Abused Men Striving Toward Language

Gjøvik University College, Gjøvik, Norway, and The Church Recourse-centre Against Violence and Abuse, Oslo, Norway, torbjoern.andersen{at}hig.no

Traditionally, sexual abuse of males has not been an issue of priority among politicians or researchers. When addressed, focus is often on context or harmful effects of the abuse. This article is based on the idea of reality as socially constructed, examining possible ways for sexually abused males to come to terms with their experiences. The emphasis is on accessible discursive resources on "the abused male" and how cultural stereotypes of manliness influence and limit individual and societal constructions. An important key to reconstruction of abuse history and selfhood lies in acceptance of the idea of men as suppressed. Sexually abused males tend to feel marginalized and different. However, when given the opportunity, they offer alternative discourses of manliness with the potential for bringing sexually abused males out of the shadows, assisting them in better understanding, dealing with, and explaining their experiences to themselves and others. This article brings out the importance of a gender-sensitive approach to working politically as well as directly with men who have been sexually abused. The horizon of understanding in professional social work needs to include attention to stereotypical constructions of manliness that reject men's experiences of being "victims."

Key Words: manliness • sexual abuse • victim • discourse • agency

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This version was published on March 1, 2008

American Journal of Men's Health, Vol. 2, No. 1, 25-36 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1557988307308107


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Andersen, T. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Andersen, T. H. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?