Male Victims of Sexual Assault

This work reports on the first epidemiological study of male sexual victimization in Europe and challenges the stereotype of gay men as sexual predators. It discusses male rape in prisons, anthropological background, legislation and links between early sexual victimization and later perpetration.

---

Since the first edition of Male Victims of Sexual Assault was published in 1992 there have been significant developments in our understanding of the prevalence and characteristics of the sexual assault of men. The first edition was influential in affording legal recognition to male victims of rape in England and Wales and this has resulted in raised awareness of the problem and improved attitudes among all those responsible for dealing with the victims. This recognition has gone some way to breaking down the taboo, and has allowed the discussion to move on and address the important issues of prevention, care and treatment. The book reports on the first epidemiological study of male sexual victimization in Europe, challenges the prevailing stereotype of gay men as sexual predators, covers the topic of male rape in prisons, examines the link between early sexual victimization and later perpetration, describes how victims of sexual torture attempt to process and resolve such experiences, provides the historical and anthropological background to the subject, and examines the impact of the changes in legislation. Mezey and King are experienced forensic psychiatrists with longstanding interests in domestic and sexual violence. They present original research material, which makes a unique contribution to our knowledge about men's experiences of sexual victimization.