Male Sexual Assault

Common Physical Symptoms:

• tears in the lining of the rectum
• swelling and abrasion of the anus
• anal warts or lesions
• stiff or sore limbs
• loss of memory and/or concentration
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• changes in sleep patterns
• stomachaches
• and headaches

Sometimes a survivor can contract a sexually transmitted disease during the assault, but not have symptoms until months later.

Common Psychological Reactions:

• denial
• shame
• humiliation
• feeling of loss of control
• fear
• mood swings
• flashbacks to the attack
• depression
• loss of self-respect
• anger
• anxiety
• guilt
• retaliation fantasies
• nervous or compulsive habits
• change in sexual activity
• suicidal thoughts and behavior
• withdrawal from relationships or support networks.

"My boyfriend and I were having lots of problems. He was going out a lot and having sex and not using a condom. One night he got angry, hit me, stormed out of the house, and came back hours later, stinking drunk. He forced me into bed, fucked me, and refused to wear a condom. I was always careful about having safe sex, now I'm afraid of getting HIV."

Many people are concerned about HIV infection after surviving a sexual assault, and it is important to know the facts. Any contact between your bodily fluids (including blood and semen) and the bodily fluids of an HIV-positive person puts you at risk of contracting HIV. However, repeated contact with HIV is usually necessary for infection.

What should I do if I am raped or sexually assaulted?

Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Go to the nearest hospital emergency room that has a rape crisis program. Although you may feel embarrassed about your injuries, it is important to receive medical assistance. Hospital staff frequently see such injuries to the penis, anus and other body parts, not all caused by rape or sexual assault.

Even if you do not seem to be injured, it is important to get medical attention. Sometimes injuries that seem minor at first can get worse. Also you may have been infected with a sexually transmitted disease, which may take weeks or months to appear, but may be easily treated with an early diagnosis.

If you are living with HIV/AIDS, especially if you are symptomatic, medical attention is particularly important. Exposure to another persons bodily fluids can further compromise your immune system, or trigger an opportunistic infection.

Going to the hospital can be frightening, especially after surviving a traumatic experience. Ask a friend to go with you, or call the Anti-Violence Project.

Consider talking to a sexual assault/rape crisis counselor.

Counseling is an important way to regain a sense of control over your life after surviving a rape or sexual assault. Counseling can help you cope with both the physical and emotional reactions to the sexual assault and any previous sexual assaults, as well as provide you with the information about hospital and criminal justice system procedures. A counselor can provide you with information and support necessary to help you decide whether or not you want to tell friends and family members about the assault, or report the assault to the police.

Consider reporting to the police and/or pursuing a criminal case.

Sexual assault is a serious crime. As a sexual assault survivor, you have the right to report the crime to the police. If you think you can identify the perpetrator, you have the right to look at mug shots and ride in a patrol car to look for the perpetrator.

Because police are not always sensitive to male sexual assault survivors, it is important to have a friend or advocate accompany you to the precinct to report the crime.

If you are concerned about HIV infection, it is important to talk to a counselor about the possibility of exposure and the need for testing.

Last updated: 8/05

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