Lasting Effects of Childhood Sexual Experiences in Men’s Lives

In this webinar, participants learn more about male survivors of sexual abuse and review the skills that enable greater insight and effectiveness when working with them.

60-minute webinar for advocates and other professionals who work with men, providing an overview of the particular ways men respond to childhood sexual abuse. The workshop covers:

• Common misunderstandings about men and sexual abuse
• Special barriers men face in disclosing childhood abuse
• How cultural norms may inhibit men from seeking treatment
• Discussion of existing resources and the challenge of finding therapists specifically trained to work with male survivors of sexual abuse
• Guidance on the critical need to remain neutral when raising the issue of sexual abuse or responding to a disclosure

This training is most useful for those with basic knowledge and understanding of sexual abuse dynamics.

Goals

• To review the skills that will enable advocates and other service providers work more effectively with male survivors
• To highlight social and cultural pressures that impact male survivors
• To review the effects of sexual victimization on male survivors
• To provide participants an opportunity to identify personal challenges and confront misconceptions that might impact their ability to work effectively with male survivors

Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Name at least 3 new resources for male survivors and describe what is available through that resource
• Name at least 5 possible long-term effects of sexual abuse on men
• Name at least 3 social norms that may inhibit male survivors from reaching out for help
• Describe possible 3 positive and negative influences of race, class, nationality, immigration status, sexual orientation, ability and age on men’s ability to reach out for help or access services
• Describe at least 3 skills which are particularly relevant to working with male survivors
• Name at least 3 ways that working with male survivors MAY differ significantly from working with female survivors
• Describe at least 3 ways that a friend or family member of a male survivor might be impacted by the survivors experience
• Describe at least 3 resources that might be useful to a friend or family member of a male survivor

Audience

Anyone who works with men including: crisis intervention hotline staff and volunteer/staffs; victim advocates; mental health workers; child protection workers; law enforcement personnel, and other professionals with some knowledge about the dynamics of sexual abuse.

Time

90 minutes

Reaching Out to Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

The Training Objectives include:

• Develop a Male Specific Lens for Reaching Out to Men
• Expand the Definition of “Engaging Men”
• Understand Barriers to Reaching Men
• Learn Strategies for Developing Effective Outreach Messages
• Identify Resources

The discussion includes strategies for defining outreach goals relevant to a specific organization’s needs; determining who you’re trying to reach; which messages will be effective and which may be counter-productive; an exploration of the impacts of childhood sexual abuse on men; and the resulting barriers to getting help, and a review of resources.

Awareness offers a great opportunity to encourage men to begin addressing their childhood sexual trauma. But how do you reach male survivors? How do you engage them, make them feel safe in stepping forward?

The webinar is designed to help advocates, organizers and practitioners think about the most effective ways to approach the issue of childhood sexual abuse with men and with those who care about them.

For additional information please contact:

Martha Lucia Marin at Martha(at)1in6.org