For Professionals
Normalize The Conversation: The 101 of Sexual Trauma

This 90-minute presentation for advocates and other professionals who work with men provides an opportunity to consider the particular ways men may respond differently to childhood sexual abuse or assault. Whatever your level of knowledge about working with men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault, this presentation may encourage you to rethink your current assumptions, examine your expectations, and employ a lens of masculinity to enhance your existing skills when working with men.

 

The presentation explores:

  • Common misunderstandings about men and sexual abuse and assault
  • Special barriers men face in disclosing
  • How cultural norms may inhibit men from seeking treatment (age, ability, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, faith…)
  • The importance and role of language in advocacy and education
  • Helpful audit tools for program effectiveness
  • Discussion of existing resources and the challenge of finding therapists specifically trained to work with male survivors of sexual abuse or assault
  • Guidance on the critical need to remain neutral when raising the issue of sexual abuse or assault, or responding to a disclosure
SCHEDULE A TRAINING

To schedule a training or presentation, or to inquire about our offerings, contact [email protected]

Goals

  • To review the skills that will enable advocates and other service providers to 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
  • To provide program coordinators audit and assessment tools

Objectives

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

  • Name at least 3 new resources for male survivors and describe what is available through those resources
  • Name at least 5 possible long-term effects of sexual abuse or assault on men
  • Name at least 3 social norms that may inhibit male survivors from reaching out for help
  • Describe 3 positive and negative possible influences of race, class, nationality, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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 or assault.

FPO
EXIT