Male Victims at a Dutch Sexual Assault Center: A Comparison to Female Victims inCharacteristics and Service Use

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increase in referrals of male victims of sexual assault to interdisciplinary sexual assault centers (SACs). Still, there is limited research on the characteristics of men who refer or are referred to SACs and the services they need. To facilitate the medical, forensic, and psychological treatment in SACs, a better understanding of male victims is indispensable. The first aim of the study was to analyze the victim and assault characteristics of male victims at a Dutch SAC, and to compare them to those of female victims. The second aim was to analyze and compare SAC service use between male and female victims. The victim characteristics, assault characteristics, and service use of 34 male victims and 633 female victims were collected in a Dutch SAC. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to analyze differences between male and female victims. No differences between males and females in victim or assault characteristics were found. Most victims received medical and psychological care, with no differences between male and female victims. Female victims were more likely to have contact with the police, but no differences in reporting or forensic medical examinations between males and females were found. These findings indicate that SACs can and do provide equal services to male and female victims, and that the current services are suitable for male victims as well. However, a focus on educating and advising male victims about police involvement is advisable.

Characteristics and Factors Associated With Age and Gender Among Peruvian Children and Adolescents Who Are Victims of Sexual Violence

“…The differences in proportions in these results suggest that fathers and stepfathers are more frequently identified as aggressors against female victims, while uncles and cousins are more often implicated in male victims. Although previous literature does not indicate a specific relationship between the victim’s gender and the type of relationship with the perpetrator, 19 , 20 reports with a relatively small sample size contrast their findings with the results presented in this study, particularly in terms of highlighting the different family members who perpetrate violence against female and male victims. It is noteworthy that the prevalence of cousin as the perpetrator is higher in male victims, 21 similar to the findings of this study.…”

Management of acute sexual assault presenting to a large Australian sexual health clinic in 2012–2021: a retrospective clinical audit

“…22,23 However, a study conducted at a Sexual Assault Centre in the Netherlands found that there was no significant difference in victim or assault characteristics between males and females, although, unlike our study, this paper contained a small sample size of males in comparison to females. 24 Future research could consider vulnerability factors to improve our understanding of client populations most at risk of assault.…”

Risk factors for PTSD diagnosis in young victims of recent sexual assault

“…Regarding pre-assault factors, our study included only female victims. Although the Dutch Sexual Assault Centres have noticed an increase in male referrals over the years (Covers, Teeuwen et al, 2021 ), male victims are still underrepresented. The main reason for underrepresentation is that male victims are less likely to disclose and seek help (De Graaf & Wijsen, 2017 ).…”