Here you can become more aware and get better informed about the childhood sexual abuse or sexual assault of boys and men.

You are not alone.

Male sexual assault happens. The sexual abuse of boys happens. This needs to be acknowledged.

This section of our website is devoted to providing helpful information, resources and insights regarding male sexual abuse and sexual assault. This includes statistics, myths and facts, what you can do, and how you can help. This info can be helpful to men who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault, and also to those people who support them – partners, friends, family, and workers.

Articles in this section

Childhood sexual abuse

Many men have had experiences of childhood sexual abuse in their lives. When we speak of childhood sexual abuse at Living Well, we are generally referring to sexual abuse a man experienced when he was young — historical abuse. Sexual abuse i...

Male sexual assault

I didn’t know what to do. I just felt numb. I couldn’t get my head around it and didn’t want to. I suppose on one level I knew I needed help but that didn’t make it any easier. Sexual assault can happen to anyone. It happens when someone...

When a man is raped

When a man is raped: A survival guide is a booklet from NSW Health . It is a guide for men who have been raped, as well as their parents, partners, spouses and friends. It provides the sort of information which may help and empower people to deal with ...

Sexual abuse statistics

Facts and figures relating to the childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault of males https://youtu.be/2KSoB-QyIqo What is this page about? Sexual abuse statistics are one way we can develop a picture of the extent of the problem of child...

Deciding to disclose sexual abuse

Deciding to disclose sexual abuse or sexual assault is a process that takes much time and consideration, particularly for a man. How disclosure of child sexual abuse or sexual assault occurs, and how it is responded to, can significantly influence...

It's not your fault

‘It’s not your fault,' men talk about living beyond the effects of sexual abuse’ is a book for men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. It shares stories of survival, hope and healing. It is helpful for professionals, family membe...

Who can a man tell

This booklet 'Who Can a Man Tell?' from NSW Health includes information for men who were sexually assaulted as children, as well as their parents, spouses and friends. It provides accessible information, validation and support for men who...

Unhelpful myths about the sexual assault and rape of men

There are a number of commonly accepted myths that can make it difficult for a man to publicly name an experience of sexual assault or rape. These myths minimise the seriousness of the crime and help persons perpetrating sexual violence to evade responsibility...

Dealing with the effects of childhood sexual abuse

The impacts of child sexual abuse can be complex and severe. While it is not always the case, it is common that a man who has experienced child sexual abuse will experience a range of negative effects many years after the abuse. However in our...

Prevention and prosecution

Sexual abuse prosecution can be difficult, but is possible The sexual abuse or sexual assault of any person is a criminal offence, and the law allows for significant penalties for those found guilty of these offences. These crimes and their maximum...

A guide for victims of crime

A guide for victims of crime in Queensland Everyone is affected differently by a traumatic event such as a violent crime. There are a wide range of normal responses you may go through and your feelings may differ from day to day. Some days you...

Alternative reporting options

You always have options Going through the process of reporting sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse to police can seem unforgivably daunting for many people. Making a formal complaint to police can mean dealing with a complex legal system,...

Guidelines for making a report or giving evidence at court

If you are considering making a statement to police or giving evidence at court, there is a lot to consider. Reporting sexual abuse or sexual assault to the police, or giving evidence at court, is always a big decision. There might be so much you want ...

Inappropriate sexual behaviours

This fact sheet was written by the Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service (a Queensland Health service) for families and support workers of people who have acquired a brain injury. There are a number of reasons people may commit inappropriate sexual...

Internet safety

In recent years the internet has become a place where children and adults are often the subject of unsolicited approaches in order to commit sexual offences. Often people are exposed to unwanted sexual material, or a young person comes across a...

Prosecution

Please note that Living Well is an Australian service, and the below information is relevant to residents of Queensland, Australia. If you are located in another country, there are some links in the comments, otherwise please check out some of the other...

Prosecution: Navigating the legal system

Introduction If you have experienced childhood sexual abuse or assault, one option you may be considering is whether to make a complaint to police and participate in a prosecution. This page contains information on what to expect if you choose to...

Men's disclosure: How you can help

Supporting men's disclosure If you are reading this information sheet it is likely that are interested in learning more about how you can help a man you know who has experienced child sexual abuse. Or alternatively, a man you know might have given...

Men, drink and drug facilitated sexual assault

We were all out celebrating and I must have had close to a dozen. I remember chatting with this woman and there was this guy hanging around, but I didn’t put two and two together. They bought me a couple of drinks because I was out of cash by then, t...

Getting back on track: Information for men

Following an experience of rape or sexual assault it can take some time and work to get your life back on track. Everyone who experiences sexual assault copes with it and gets through it in different ways. People cope, survive and thrive through the...

Prisoner rape support package

Sadly, rape in prisons is a reality. Rape in prison is different from rape in the community in that prison is a 'total institution' from which there is no escape. It is difficult to describe the heavy mix of fear and violence that operates...

Royal Commission and other Inquiries

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is one of four commissions or inquiries into sexual abuse and institutional failure recently undertaken in Australia. The Royal Commission focused on identifying things...

Media reports: Taking care of yourself

This page is intended to provide support to those who have been subjected to childhood sexual abuse in institutional, familial and community settings, for partners, families, friends and community members, including those who are employees of organisations...

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. It was established in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse . The National Redress Scheme:...

Victorian child abuse inquiry - “Betrayal of Trust”

The Family and Community Development Committee has released its report from the Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations entitled “Betrayal of Trust.” Terms of reference The Family and Com...

Royal Commission Interim report

The Royal Commission Interim Report was released on 30 June 2014. Introduction to the report When a child is sexually abused while in the care of an institution, the impact can be devastating and last for a lifetime. It can leave a traumatic legacy...