Are There General Differences Between Male And Female Rape Victims?

[Hopp]

I have complex PTSD due to several things, one of them being sexual assault. I have now started to get to know a man (friend) who also has PTSD due to sexual assault and rape. Therefore I now wonder about the differences. Of course we talk a bit about this, but it is difficult to know if diffences we find are general or not. Does anybody know if there are any articlas, etc about this? Thoughts?

 

[WillyKat]

Yes there are probably lots of literature about this on the Internet. Off the top of my head, there's one in particular: "Abused Boys" by Mic Hunter. It's been a long time since I've read that but I believe there's a chapter that covers the differences.

In a nutshell, men generally don't have nearly as much fear later in life of being raped again as women do. That's probably obvious. For example, I'm 6'4" and don't get too concerned about going out to my car after work. On the other hand, men have this macho thing going on and are much less likely to ever talk or open up to others about the abuse. We men tend to delay getting help a lot longer and we tend to bury the feelings deeper.

There are some important differences and they play apart in therapy and recovery. That said, there are an awful lot of similarities.

 

[Abstract]

I have somehow thought of it as being particularly difficult I must say and only partly because of of all the gender worries it unnecessarily causes for some.

I have also seen some difficult stuff discussed about boy children abused by women.

It also goes without saying of course, but each individual reacts to things uniquely.

 

[Seasounds]

Thanks for the Interesting discussion topic. The above posts seem intelligent and thoughtful. Despite research that may make gender distinctions, I, too, would hold the perspective of knowing that, you are two different people, with two different ways, of responding to, and healing from, traumatic circumstances.

 

[Hopp]

Thankyou all for your answears! Change, I also think it is important to look at this like that: we are two people and we share our traumatic experiences. Sometimes this question comes up though and then it feels important. (I have a bit difficult with the language. i hope it makes sense anyway).

 

[Seasounds]

Yes, I agree with you. So glad you are in this forum. Your writing and spelling work for me, just fine.:)