Men at risk: Understanding sexual health and the impact of harassment

When we talk about mens health particularly sexual health the conversation often veers toward physical wellbeing reproductive capabilities or the prevention of diseases However an oftenoverlooked aspect of mens sexual health is their emotional psychological and social vulnerabilities particularly in the context of sexual harassment and assaultDespite the prevailing cultural norms that paint men as strong stoic and less prone to victimization many men experience sexual harassment and assault though it is a topic less frequently discussed or acknowledgedThe stigma surrounding menrsquos sexual healthSexual health isnrsquot just about physical aspects such as fertility libido or the absence of sexually transmitted infections STIs It encompasses the psychological and emotional facets of sexuality and for many men societal expectations make it difficult to openly discuss sexual vulnerabilitiesIn numerous cultures men are socialised to believe that they should always be sexually assertive that they should enjoy all sexual advances and that they should never experience sexual harm These harmful stereotypes contribute to the stigma surrounding menrsquos sexual health issues For instance discussing erectile dysfunction premature ejaculation or a lack of sexual desire is often seen as taboo even though these issues are commonWhen men feel pressured to meet unrealistic sexual standards or to fulfill rigid masculine roles their mental health can suffer This in turn affects their sexual health creating a cycle where shame guilt or frustration hinders the pursuit of help and solutionsSexual harassment and assault A hidden epidemic among menSexual harassment and assault are usually framed as issues that primarily affect women but men are also victims Research indicates that one in six men will experience some form of sexual abuse or assault in their lifetime Yet the cultural narrative around male victimhood is often minimised ignored or even ridiculed making it difficult for male survivors to come forwardThe underreporting of sexual assault by men can be attributed to several factors The perception of masculinity often discourages men from admitting that they have been victimised especially if the perpetrator is a womanThere is also a fear of not being believed or being shamed as some believe that men cannot or should not be able to say no to sex Moreover when men are sexually assaulted by other men especially in institutional settings like prisons the associated homophobia and stigma can make it even more difficult to disclose these experiencesUnderstanding male vulnerability to sexual harassmentSexual harassment is not limited to physical acts it also includes verbal harassment unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate comments or behaviours in the workplace or other social environmentsMen particularly those in vulnerable job roles can experience sexual harassment but may be less likely to report it due to the fear of appearing weak or losing respect in professional or personal spacesIn corporate or hierarchical environments men may be subjected to power dynamics where superiors regardless of gender take advantage of their authority This can manifest as pressure for sexual favors in exchange for promotions or using inappropriate humor and innuendos to degrade or humiliate male employeesMoreover sexual harassment in public settingsmdashsuch as groping or inappropriate touchingmdashis also a reality for many men Male victims often internalize such experiences because society often dismisses or even jokes about their trauma The notion that men should be ldquogratefulrdquo for any form of sexual attention particularly from women reinforces toxic attitudes that silence male victimsThe psychological impact of sexual assault on menThe psychological and emotional consequences of sexual harassment and assault on men are profound Victims may experience anxiety depression posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD and a loss of selfesteemThe social isolation that comes with these experiences can be overwhelming particularly when societal norms discourage men from seeking help Male survivors often grapple with confusion about their identity and masculinity especially if they were taught that they should be impervious to victimisationThe shame and guilt that men feel following sexual assault or harassment can be compounded by a lack of support Many men hesitate to seek professional help fearing judgment or disbelief from therapists who might not be trained to handle male victims As a result these men may struggle silently which can lead to substance abuse anger issues and even suicidal thoughtsAddressing the barriers to reporting and supportOne of the primary barriers to addressing sexual harassment and assault among men is the lack of open dialogue Men need to be encouraged to speak about their experiences without fear of being labeled as weak emasculated or complicit in their victimisation By changing the narrative around male sexual victimisation society can create a more supportive environment for men to seek helpInstitutions from workplaces to educational settings must implement more inclusive policies that acknowledge male victimsTraining programs on sexual harassment need to address the experiences of men just as much as those of women ensuring that victims of all genders feel safe to come forwardAdditionally law enforcement agencies and healthcare providers should be educated on how to sensitively and effectively respond to male victims of sexual assaultSupport systems such as malefocused hotlines and peer support groups can offer a safe space for men to share their experiencesMale survivors of sexual violence can benefit from communitybuilding efforts where they donrsquot feel alone or ostracised Moreover mental health professionals should be trained to recognise the unique ways in which sexual trauma can manifest in men creating tailored treatment plans that address the complex interplay of identity masculinity and trauma recoveryDeconstructing toxic masculinityAt the heart of many of the challenges related to menrsquos sexual health and their experiences of harassment and assault lies the concept of toxic masculinity This cultural idea which promotes aggression emotional suppression and the belief that men must always be dominant plays a major role in how men perceive themselves and their vulnerabilityDeconstructing toxic masculinity is essential in improving mens sexual health and their ability to seek help This requires education that teaches young boys that vulnerability is not weakness and that experiencing sexual trauma is not a reflection of their manhood By fostering an environment where emotional expression is valued and accepted society can help boys grow into men who are in touch with their emotions and capable of seeking support when neededMoving toward a more inclusive conversationAddressing menrsquos sexual health and vulnerabilities requires an ongoing conversation that challenges outdated norms about masculinity This includes recognising that men too can be victims of sexual harassment and assault and that their experiences are valid and worthy of supportBy providing comprehensive sexual education supporting male survivors and dismantling harmful stereotypes we can create a world where menrsquos sexual health is prioritised not only in terms of physical wellbeing but in emotional and psychological dimensions as wellWhen men feel empowered to speak about their vulnerabilities without fear of stigma we will have taken an important step toward true sexual equality and health for allAlso ReadComprehensive sex education Building safer inclusive communitiesConclusionMenrsquos sexual health is about more than just physical wellness it encompasses mental emotional and social health By confronting the stigma around menrsquos sexual vulnerabilities and addressing the reality of sexual harassment and assault society can support men in their journey to holistic sexual health Open dialogue inclusive policies and a dismantling of harmful stereotypes will help pave the way toward a safer more supportive environment for all menProf Dr Rajan Bhonsle MD is a Senior Sex Therapist and Counsellor from Mumbai practicing for more than 35 years He is a Hon Professor and Head of the Department of Sexual Medicine at KEMHospital and GSMedical College MumbaiThe views expressed here are the individualrsquos and donrsquot represent those of the paper