Male sexual assaults in the Paris, France area: An observational study over 8 years

Abstract

Background: Male sexual assaults were long ignored, possibly because of the myth acceptance that a man can only be the perpetrator of sexual assaults. It is increasingly admitted that all males can be victims of rape. We described the characteristics of a series of male adolescent and adult victims of sexual assault who had a forensic medical examination.

Methods: We conducted an observational study over 8 years.

Results: We included 98 male patients aged 15 years and older (range 15-66, median 25) at the time of a reported sexual assault. Assailants were known by the victim in 59 cases (60%). Forty-four patients (45%) had physical or mental vulnerability. Anal penetration was reported in 49 cases (50%). Genital examination showed abnormalities compatible with traumatic injuries in 23 cases (24%). Psychological symptoms were found in 81 victims (83%), including shame (39, 40%) and anxiety (38, 39%). Of 98 victims, sperm could be detected in 6 cases (6%) (anal, 4; oral, 1; skin, 1). Male victims were more frequently disabled or vulnerable than female victims examined in the same centre (45% vs. 13%, p<0.001). At the one-month follow-up consultation, psychological symptoms, including sleep disorders and fear, were observed in most patients and the proportions of physical and psychological complaints were similar among male and female victims.

Conclusion: Male victims of sexual assault experienced high level of psychological trauma and felt more ashamed than women, which suggests that sexual assaults should be considered as severe among men as among women.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adult; Disabled; Male victim; Sexual assault; Traumatic injury.