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Sheldon Turner
Professor Richardson
English 1101

Men are Not Sex Crazed Beasts

When you hear the words sexual abuse and rape, what pops into your head? An innocent,
defenseless, woman or creepy looking man? While that version of events is the majority of cases,
it is not all. Especially in my friends situation; a man who was sexually coerced by a woman and
was affected heavily. Men who have experienced any form of an unconsented sexual act are
negatively affected no matter their sexuality or gender of the perpetrator. However, due to the
beliefs that men cannot be victims of sexual acts by the sex they are attracted to, men are not
affected psychologically or physically from unconsented sex, and that erection signifies consent.
Many men do not seek the help they need after an unconsented sexual act because of the persona
that a man is no longer a man if he was hurt by a sexual experience.
When my friend told others about his experience, like most male victims, he found that
many people did not understand. The girls gave no sympathy and many guys jeered at him for
complaining or whining over seemingly nothing. When he confided in me what happened, I
asked myself: why is it common that people believe all sexual activity is initiated by men? Has
society helped paint the picture that men are and should be sex craved beasts while women are
always innocent, delicate and pure? This image will be the highest hurdle for my friend and the
male sex, to jump if they want people to acknowledge that this misdeed occurs.

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One reason people feel it is impossible for my friend to be sexual coerced by the sex he is
attracted to is because of the myth acceptance (a generally accepted idea or belief) that men
initiate all sexual encounters. This means that if a man is sexually coerced (persuaded or
pressured into doing a sexual act) that deep down he must have really wanted it. The same
situation would be looked at differently if it was a woman, instead of man, receiving these
tactics. (Smith) Ronald found that men were sympathetic to women and harsh on men in a
similar case of sexual assaults. They also gave less blame to women perpetrators than men.
(Smith) Is this because men are expected to be an unrelenting force with a strong un-bending
will? Would this mean that any man who is sexually coerced in societies eyes cannot be seen as
a victim but as a willing participant?
Although, what is a willing participant? Consent is normally considered two or more
parties willing to engage in sexual activity. How can consent agreed upon? Consent is usually
considered present unless these two things occur: one, if there was verbal response or warning
that they do not want to partake and two was there any body language that showed they are not
consenting. Body language is a key factor on why men are believed to be incapable of not liking
a sexual interaction. One popular belief is that a man is consenting from his physiological
response of having an erection. An erection is considered to be a response to positive sexual
stimulation, but in actuality it can be a response to a variety of emotions. A person can have an
erection under extreme stress and fear. Two emotions that go along with peer pressure and guilt.
(Judson)
Whenever Sexual coercion happens, there are usually more signs of psychological effects
than physical with men. I noticed how my friend seemed to be more reserved around girls. He
was very distant instead of his usual flirty self. Men have a variety of reactions to sexual abuse,

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most of them being psychological, such as avoidance of sexual intimacy, questioning of sexuality
and self-esteem. (Tewskbury) While I do not think my friend was questioning his sexuality or
self-esteem, it was easy to tell that he was avoiding any type of intimacy with girls.
The fact that situation like these gain no attention shocked me. Men are scared to report
any type of sexual harassment. Simply, due to the fact that men are supposed to be sexual
initiators and women sexually passive. That or if they have been assaulted by someone of the sex
they are attracted to they must have felt some form of sexual pleasure has prevented many men
like my friend from getting the help that they need. (Tewskbury)
What might have changed had my friend been gay, or the perpetrator a man? A lot, men
who consider themselves homosexual and sexually coerced by women are more likely to receive
help from authorities and be socially accepted as a victim in the situation. While this is exactly
opposite of when straight men are victims of female coercion. (Kassing) Straight men are only
considered victims if the perpetrator was male. If he considered himself homosexual he would
not receive much help or sympathy because of the belief that he derives pleasure from the
interaction. (Kassing)
Luckily for my friend, he was not injured unlike some men. While aggressive coercion is
rare with female perpetrators the injuries can be just as critical. With men being threatened with
having their genitals cut off. Male perpetrators can leave many injuries, normally on the head,
arms, wrists, and anus. (Walker) Even with these types of wounds, men still reported a few days
hesitations before seeking treatment.
They were scared of the judgement they may receive from medical professionals if they
told them what happened. Feeling as if admitting it would make them less of a man. Thankfully

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for my friend he was not too scared. Eventually he was able to talk to our school counselor about
it and was able to work things out. Unlike the estimated 7% of men who do not. (Javaid)
Why, then do people still not understand that men may not always want to have sex?
Knowing that an erection does not mean a man is sexually aroused should help show that men
are not consenting silently. Women have also reported releasing vaginal fluids during sexual
assault.(Judson) Having problems with intimacy and self-esteem are similar effects of sexual
abuse of women also.(Tewskbury) When women are assaulted by other women or men they
receive the same amount of empathy whether they were attracted to either.(Davies) Men should
be given the same amount of treatment.
If the public was to become more aware of these facts, many men would not be scared to
get the help they needed. It is hard to change myth accepted ideas but not impossible. If
everyone did their part in questioning the logic of stereotypes such as these and do research,
society would be just a little more open minded and understanding.

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Works Cited
Davies, Michelle, Paul Pollard, and John Archer. "Effects Of Perpetrator Gender And Victim
Sexuality On Blame Toward Male Victims Of Sexual Assault." Journal Of Social
Psychology 146.3 (2006): 275-291. Sociological Collection. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Javaid Aliraza. The Dark Side of Men Journal of Mens Studies (2015).Mens Studies Press
p271-292 (print)
Kassing, Leslee R., Denise Beesley, and Lisa L. Frey. "Gender Role Conflict,
Homophobia, Age, And Education As Predictors Of Male Rape Myth
Acceptance." Journal Of Mental Health Counseling 27.4 (2005): 311-328. Consumer
Health Complete - EBSCOhost. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Smith, Ronald E., Charles J. Pine, and Mark E. Hawley. "Social Cognitions About Adult Male
Victims Of Female Sexual Assault." Journal Of Sex Research 24.1-4 (1988):
101. MasterFILE Elite. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Tewksbury, Richard1, tewks@louisville.edu. "Effects Of Sexual Assaults On Men: Physical,
Mental And Sexual Consequences." International Journal Of Men's Health 6.1 (2007):
22-35. OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson). Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Walker, Jayne, John Archer, and Michelle Davies. "Effects Of Rape On Men: A Descriptive
Analysis." Archives Of Sexual Behavior 34.1 (2005): 69. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.