Exploring the Silent Suffering of Male Survivors of Sexual Assault: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the obscure traumatic experiences, challenges, and perceptions that confront adult men in North Carolina suffering in silence as a response to their childhood sexual abuse experiences. The theory guiding this study was the hegemonic masculinity theory, which explains how masculinity has been culturized to create patriarchal systems. One central research question and three research sub-questions were answered. The central research question was, what is the lived experience of male survivors of sexual trauma? The research sub-questions were: What are the effects of the abuse experience on the mental and psychological well-being of the male survivors? How do the male sexual survivors navigate the resulting trauma from their ordeals and their sense of masculinity?, and How did the male survivors shift from silence to speaking out? Ten participants who were sexually assaulted in childhood and adolescence were recruited, and data were collected through interviews. The data were analyzed using the transcendental phenomenological analysis, revealing six key themes: a) silent suffering, b) shame and stigma, c) relationship difficulties, d) inadequate resources, e) mental and psychological issues, and f) coping mechanisms. Findings showed universal silent suffering, shame and stigma, psychological distress, relationship difficulties, and lack of tailored resources, regardless of age, race, perpetrator's gender, timing (i.e., recently or a long time ago), frequency, or nature of sexual assault. Male sexual assault victims are unwilling to report due to law enforcement’s perceived inability to handle the cases and the heavy burden of proof on victims. Cultural expectations imposed on African Americans where male sexual assault is a taboo precipitated silent suffering.