In some refugee groups, more than one in three men are said to have suffered sexual violence

Sexual violence against men is one of the least told aspects of war. Yet men and boys are victims too of abuse that is frequently more effective at destroying lives and tearing communities apart than guns alone. It can take the form of anal and oral rape, genital torture, castration, gang rape, sexual slavery and the forced rape of others. It is so taboo that few survivors have the courage to tell their story. Besides feeling ashamed and afraid of being ostracised, many victims dare not challenge powerful myths about male rape in their cultures, experts say. A common belief is that a man who is raped becomes a woman.

Key wordsarmed conflict / child soldiers / children / gender based violence / organised violence / sexual violence / sexual violence against men / violence

CountriesCentral African Republic / Democratic Republic of Congo / Europe / Libya / Syria

CategoryPublication