Male Sexual Abuse : Why It Is Not A Joke

Whenever the topic of Sexual Assault is raised, it is generally diluted with the notion of crimes against women. Though there are many cases that prove that the bar of crime against women is really high, but why do we tend to neglect the other victims in such cases. The otherwise important part of the society that constitutes more than half of the population of world, is mercilessly ignored in such cases. Yes, you got it right. I am talking about the crimes against Men.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone, no matter your age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Men and boys who have been sexually assaulted or abused may have many of the same feelings and reactions as other survivors of sexual assault, but they may also face some additional challenges because of social attitudes and stereotypes about men and masculinity.

Might come as a shocker for many, this topic is something that is known by many, but no one speaks openly about it. All thanks to the stigma attached to this topic, it's existence is shrouded in secrecy. Like women, men also face sexual abuse at their neighborhood, school or even at their home. Now, this becomes a pretty debatable topic that who are actually more unsafe in our country - men or women.

In a country like India where such taboo topics are shushed and are strictly forbidden to discuss amongst one's own family members, stats reveal some shocking relevations about the abuse and assault that is taking place in complete secrecy, in our day-to-day progressing country. Since the children or teenagers are more prone to such crimes, the acts of assault amongst them is the highest, as compared to other age groups.

Statistics from the 2007 report on Child Abuse in India by the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare clearly shows that how miserably we have failed as a progressive nation by ignoring such crimes at the root level and this is the result of constant denial of existence of such a heinous crime, due to which half of the male population( mostly children and teenagers ) is currently suffering.

• One in every two children interviewed (53.22%) reported being victims of one or more forms of sexual abuse that included severe and other forms. More than half (52.94%) of those who reported abuse were boys while 47.06% were girls.

• A state-wise breakdown shows that 9 out of 13 (69%) states reported a higher percentage of sexual abuse among boys as compared to girls, with Delhi reporting a figure of 65.64%.

• 7 out of 13 states (54%) reported a higher percentage of boys facing one or more severe forms of other sexual abuse as compared to girls.

The data shown above clearly reflects that in almost all forms of sexual abuse, thenumber of boys who have faced abuse was equal to the number of girls who have faced abuse, if not more.

Most of the crimes went unnoticed because it was considered Shameful for the family of victim to report such crimes, and if the victim is a male, then everything else get faded away and the only thing that remains in the bigger picture is the Honour of the family. How can someonetrade the honour of their family just for the sake of an ABUSE - who cares if it was mental or sexual.

Even in some bollywood movies ( Badrinath ki Dulhaniya being the recent example ), the scene of male protagonist's harassment was supposed to be a FUNNY one. Just Why ?

How insensitive have we become that we are readily accepting a crime as something RIDICULOUS which is otherwise a heinous act that can lead to the destruction of someone's life, forget about their self-esteem or personality.

So, it is high time to recognise the need of spreading awareness about such crimes, which are increasing at an alarming rate, and raising voice to promote safety for people. Strict laws should be made so that the offendors would be punished strictly for their crimes, irrespective of their age, gender or orientation. Because we, being the responsible citizens of our country, need to take numerous steps to reduce the bar of such crimes and thus, can promote equality, for all genders.

Because every person needs love, let us give everyone the love that they deserve.

Spread Love, not Abuse. Surely the world would be a happier place to live then.