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Understanding and working with young male survivors of SA

Author: Domestic Violence Resource Centre

Tags: Counselling, For Workers, Theory and Therapy

This article is written for men and assumes a male offender, however SECASA acknowledges that both men and women can be survivors of sexual abuse and that offenders can be male and female.

This article shares some of the ideas that have been found useful in understanding and working with young men who have experienced sexual assault.

Contents

• Introduction
• Understanding and working with young male survivors of SA
• Dilemmas of working with young men
• Ways to engage young male survivors of sexual assault
• Listening to young men's lived experience and meaning
• Working with shame, self blame and guilt
• Balancing exploration with building self skills
• Re contextualising 'creative adjustments' and symptoms
• Conclusion
• References