Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Month | Michael

April is Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Month, which recognizes that boyhood sexual abuse is often overlooked and poorly understood.

A lack of understanding and support can lead to additional trauma for male survivors and a lack of adequate resources.

[davidspensberger]

i was 12-13 and it destroyed my life for a long time. my silence prolonged my suffering. i started my healing at 39 and am very happy at 58. kudos young man great job

[sherryhughes]

Unless you have been through this, no one understands how it emotionally changes you forever.

[maxwellhaydendolgih]

I was 5 years old. My father has passed from an overdose and my Mother had to hire a nanny to take care of me while she worked 80 hours a week. Her husband tricked me into believing that IT was a rite of passage. I recall walking back home in tears followed by crimson footprints.

I am 27 now. Still destroyed. Have huge trust issues. But i have been working on myself and loving life despite its unfairness.

Thank you all for sharing your stories.

[Nikkolas]

Gay or Straight, young or older Everyone should be treated with respect and care.

[alanolson]

I’m a survivor, too. I was 5 when it began, 7 when he (our neighbor) moved away. For the next 51 years I never told anyone. In 2013, after talking with my wife, I sought counseling. It was one of the best things I could have done.
Yes, the nightmares still come, the shame, sadness, feeling of loneliness and the loss of my innocence still show up from time to time…but it never truly ever goes away. We live with this every day of our lives.
Bravo to this young man.
I understand, brother.

[Bluelinechevy]

Super brave of you telling your story. At 39 years old, I'm still struggling. Over the years, I've blocked out the memories of my abuse. However as I get older, some of the memories are coming back. I still have night terrors, and suffer extreme anxiety and depression from my childhood abuse. I thank God my wife has been supportive and helping me overcome. I wasn't allowed to speak out, I was labeled as the problematic stepson, the black sheep. I was not allowed to express any other feelings. I was expected to be happy and smiling all of the time. This has also caused me to have anger issues, depression and anxiety.

[wolfbear]

I was 3 years old. It took me till 28 to fully remember. Finally at 65 I saw a therapist and ended my rage. He did not win.

[MrLadyGaGaLovr]

I needed to hear this. Fellow survivor here! I love you Michael! Hang in there!

[faithfit]

Michael is obviously still very troubled by his abuse. I pray that he continues to grow in his understanding that he is a victim and not to blame. I would hope is still in counseling, two years is simply not enough to resolve the lifelong issues this event presents in his life. This video is a great step in the direction of recovery. Helping others who may be hurting and not knowing where to turn can be very impactful in a positive way. Thank you Michael for being strong, remaining strong. Brother Thom

[chefjch]

I was 10 years old when molested by a neighbor who was a high school football player. Decades later I was able to share it with a few very select friends, and I was 56 when I finally told my dad about it. All I can say is that my trust in virtually anyone was shatterd and it scarred me for most of my life. And though there is no doubt I was a victim, I finally see myself not as a victim but as a conqueror. I would never wish the experience on anyone, but I can honestly say that God has used it for good in my life and made me much more sensitive to the needs and hurts of others. Thank you for sharing your journey. May you continue to heal, learn, grow, and make a difference in the lives of those around you.

[src]

My very first memories, as a small child, of my abuser were of abuse and being abused. It lasted til I was 11 when he was killed in a car accident. I was so damaged abd broken, that I missed him and the abuse. It was such a "normal" part of my life. Im 38 and it is still difficult at times.

[blackberry]

I am a Registered Social Worker who works with people who have been sexually assaulted and abused; this man and all the other adults and children that I have worked with have shown so much strength with their healing!

[radarada]

Thank you for being vulnerable and share your story. Not only women, but men also get often abused. Somehow they don't feel comfortable to speak about that, but we need to spread awareness. I write that as a woman. Abuse has to stop, regardless of gender!!!

[SkyhawkJD]

It happened to me when I was 3 and it destroyed my life, and worse, I’ve had people tell me to my face that I’m lying because “you must’ve liked it” (even though I was 3 years old) and tell me that “boys don’t get abused”

I got alot of support but the fact that men aren’t taken seriously or are made fun of, it made me quiet about it for 18 years

[annebird]

I was 5 when my older cousin that was baby sitting us thought to target me. But my brother of 7 stopped him and told adults. Apparently the cousin had been hurting both of us for some time. Im very grateful for my brother, though our shared trauma made us both angry children so we fought a lot. Now as adults we are very good friends. I'm glad our parents got us help right away and continued to do so all of growing up.

[_-NOSTOMANIAC-_]

I was 8 years old and it happened to me when I was in an orphanage run by priests. In a place where I thought that I was the most safe. What's more grueling is that the culprits were the other students who were also kids like maybe 14-16aged.
They made it look like it was my fault and took advantage of me through blackmail and manipulations.
It took a long time for me to realize that it wasn't my fault. I'm still struggling, still healing. It was eating away at me, and I couldn't find the courage to tell somebody about this to this day.
I went into depression, started cutting, lost interest in studies.
A family friend noticed the change in me and took me to a therapist. I'm doing much better now, I don't get that much panic attacks as I've used to. I'm not hurting myself anymore, but sometimes something triggers all those memories and everything comes back to me.
But I know now that this too shall pass😊

[Justin-ypyj]

I needed to hear this! I’m a survivor too! Mine was from age 3 to age 12! I only recently started my healing process and it’s beyond hard and frustrating!! Thank you for sharing your story!!! God bless you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[littlemakers]

Lots of respect to you sir, i am happy my son gets to grow up and have role models like you. Thank you!

[Mmmkay]

The immense pain and anxiety is still so prevalent in your eyes and disposition. I am so terribly sorry these horrors happened to you and know you are not alone. You may have suffered terrible abuse but know this does not define you. You are a warrior in how you fought through it. I commend you for it ❤

[kensilva]

Thank everyone for coming forward. The more that come out and tell their story the more the public knows.