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Child abuse
Resources for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and incest
Originally Published: November 06, 1998 ~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: November 13, 1998
 
Dear Alice,

I am a male survivor of childhood (homo)sexual abuse and incest. I have recently stopped my horribly abusive alcohol and drug habits and am having to deal more with my issues now that I'm not using "painkillers." I'm worried that if I don't do something soon, I might be miserable for the rest of my life and may never be able to have a relationship or even sex. I am very hurt by the fact that there are no resources on campus for male survivors. All the groups are for women, as if male survivors don't exist. Anyways, please refer me to any resources you are aware of in NYC. Thanks.

Signed,
Uncomfortable

 

Dear Uncomfortable,

It's great that you're taking the next steps towards healing and recovery. You're right, most support groups for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and incest are geared towards women, but there are also many that are geared to both women and men. From your question, it appears you are interested in a group for male survivors only. In New York City, the St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center Crime Victims Treatment Center has support groups for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Their services are free and confidential. For more information or to make an appointment, you can call 212.523.4728.

If you are a Columbia student, the Barnard-Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence Support Center offers free and confidential services for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, including walk-in or phone peer counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, information, and resources:

Barnard-Columbia RC/AVSC
123 Brooks Hall
Barnard Quad
Business phone: x4-4366 [9 AM - 5 PM, Monday - Friday]
Peer Counseling Hotline: x4-HELP (-4357) [7 - 11 PM, 7-days-a-week]

For survivors of childhood sexual abuse and incest outside of New York City, try the following organization for more information, including availability of support groups in your area:

The National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization (NOMSV) and Men Assisting, Leading, and Educating (M.A.L.E.)
Dedicated to a safe world, NOMSV is an organization of diverse individuals committed through research, education, advocacy, and activism to the prevention, treatment, and elimination of all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men.
M.A.L.E. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to healing male survivors of sexual abuse.

1.800.738.4181

Beside support groups, other support resources you may want to check out include these books:

Male Survivors: 12-Step Recovery Program for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Timothy L. Sanders

Men Surviving Incest: A Male Survivor Shares the Process of Recovery by T. Thomas

The Male Survivor: The Impact of Sexual Abuse by Matthew Parynik Mendel

Thinking of you,

Alice

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