The Voices of Male Survivors: The Lived Experiences of Adult Male Victims of Child Sexual Abuse

Prior to the 1980s, very little was understood about childhood male sexual abuse (CSA). Prevailing societal norms and values, secrecy inherent in the abuse and limited public awareness kept male victims of CSA in the dark to suffer alone. This study seeks to understand the experiences of adult male victims of childhood sexual abuse and its intersection with their masculinity. The study enlists the participation of 16 adult male victims of CSA and through a mixed methods design, utilizing the Trauma Symptoms Checklist (TSC-40) and a rigorous qualitative interview shines a light on their experiences and common themes experienced by this population.