As a man, it’s not uncommon to feel that you’ll be accused of being the protagonist in a situation where you’re being accused of rape or sexual assault. What’s important for everyone to remember is that men can be sexually assaulted, too, and you may actually be the victim in your situation. In cases of the heart, sometimes, it’s hard to determine what the true story is, and because of this, it’s important to be honest with your lawyer from the start of your case.
Sexual assault can and does happen to many people from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter what sexual orientation you have or if you have a different gender identity to others. Men and boys who suffer from assault suffer much in the same was as female survivors, but because of social stereotypes, they may also struggle in different ways.
For instance, someone may not take a sexual assault claim from a man seriously, or the case could be turned around to make it out like the man being assaulted was actually the one initiating sexual contact. Women can be accused of rape or sexual assault against men in some circumstances, which can also be difficult. Why? Men may have physiological reactions, like erections, even if they don’t want to participate. That can lead to a confusing situation for both parties.
Regardless of what has or has not happened, if you’re accused of sexually assaulting a man or of assaulting a woman when you were not responsible, it’s important to stand up for yourself. There is no shame in speaking out about what has happened to you and how you should be treated during your case’s investigation.
Source: RAINN, “Sexual Assault of Men and Boys,” accessed Sep. 03, 2015