Unspoken Truths: Understanding and Treating Male Sexual Abuse

Course Description:

Research and clinical discussion in the field of childhood sexual abuse has historically focused primarily on female victimization experiences. This lack of attention to the unique experiences of males who have been victimized has left clinicians feeling unsure about how to approach these cases with confidence. This training will focus on some of the characteristics of sexual abuse experiences of males and provide information about specific targets of intervention with this population. Particular attention will be paid to the ways participants can support clients and families to unpack societal myths about male sexual abuse victimization, disclosure barriers and responses, and, importantly, how the historical and current socio-cultural landscape related to gender and masculinity – made more challenging in the current social media landscape – continues to influence an unhelpful conceptualization of male sexual victimization and potentially impact healing.  

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will…