In 1998 SAMSSA produced a survey on Men's Experience of Sexual Violence. The survey was undertaken to provide male survivors of sexual assault and their partners, family and friends with an opportunity to share their experiences and to seek their opinion about what kind of service male survivors need.

The summary of this survey is reproduced below. A full copy of the survey can be obtained from SAMSSA: samssa@effect.net.au

SAMSSA (Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault)
Needs Assessment Survey:
Men's Experience of Sexual Violence, and
The Need for a Men's Sexual Assault Service in the ACT
June 1998

Contents

1. Executive Summary
2. Background to the Needs Assessment Survey
3. Methodology
4. Summary of Results

Executive Summary

This report documents the results of a Needs Assessment Survey conducted by the Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA) between April and June 1998.

The survey was undertaken to provide male survivors of sexual assault and child sexual assault, their partners, family and friends with an opportunity to share their experience of surviving and healing from sexual violence, and to seek their opinions of the kind of service male survivors need.

Reading the returned survey forms has been one of the most energizing and honouring experiences I have had in my time establishing and working for SAMSSA. An unintentional result of the survey design was that I could read through a returned survey form and gain a glimpse of the person who had completed it. It was humbling to have men and women share their lives, experience and ideas, albeit anonymously, with me.

The credit for the information contained in this report belongs with the male survivors who have courageously struggled for their healing and willingly given their wisdom and ideas for the benefit of all men in our community. I want to express my thanks to those men and women who took the time to complete the surveys, to acknowledge their bravery in doing so, and to wish them the very best in their ongoing healing and contributions. Thanks, as well, to the couple of young men who assisted me in the piloting of the survey, providing their ideas, reactions and input into the design of the survey.

I would also like to thank the members of the SAMSSA Steering Committee who have given their time, energy and persistence in distributing, returning and collating the surveys.

I think that the results speak clearly for themselves. However, to avoid any confusion, and to summarize key findings, this survey has demonstrated:

• The overwhelming recognition of the need for and support for a men's sexual assault service in the ACT.
• The importance of a men's service closely linked to, but separate from women's sexual assault support services.
• Consistency with other studies and knowledge about male sexual assault:
  • It is a form of violence committed overwhelmingly by men.
  • Sometimes it is sexual violence committed against other men in less powerful social positions. Sometimes it is sexual violence committed against peers, in an attempt to assert or gain a sense of power.
  • It is sexual violence most likely to be perpetrated by a person related to or well-known to his victim. However, the survey seems to indicate that men also experience sexual by a non-relative (friend or acquaintance) in a higher percentage of incidents than expected.
  • Men using sexual violence against other men often assault or abuse more than one person.
• The diversity of men's survival strategies and experience of the impact of sexual assault, but who share a common sense of isolation from others, confusion about sexual identity and gender roles, shame and self-blame for not having stopped or avoided the abuse, which are compounded by social and cultural tolerance of and resistance to redressing sexual violence against women, children and men.

I believe the information provided by the men and women who have shared their experiences through this survey is essential for anyone working with men who are survivors of child sexual abuse or sexual assault. Workers will find a wealth of information to inform their provision of services to male survivors of sexual violence. I refer them particularly to the "Impacts and Effects of Sexual Violence in Men's Lives" for a comprehensive list of what issues they can expect to face in working with male survivors.

This survey has only touched on the issue of sexual violence against men. Further work on addressing the specific needs of many different communities of men needs to be carried out, including men from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, homeless men, men in correctional facilities, who were not adequately covered in this survey.

This report does not make light reading. It uncovers disturbing facts about a troubling subject. I present its contents to you, hoping it will challenge our community to take up its responsibilities to the victims of sexual violence - men, women and children.

Tim Bavinton
Project Officer
June 1998

Further information about this Needs Assessment Survey, the Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA), or male sexual assault issues can be sought from:
PO Box 94
Narrabundah ACT 2604
Telephone: (02) 6232-7166
Fax: (02) 6232-7167
Or email SAMSSA for more information or a full copy of the survey: samssa@effect.net.au
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Background to the Needs Assessment Survey

The Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA) was funded as a pilot service to determine the need for a designated men's sexual assault support service in the ACT. Funding of $40,000 was provided by the ACT Government, Community Services Grants program (Dept of Education and Community Services), auspiced by the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, for the 1997/1998 financial year.

A Steering Group of individuals and services working with male survivors, or having an interest in the establishment of a men's sexual assault service, was formed from a group who had been advocating for such a service and had collaborated on the writing of the funding proposal.

In October 1997, a Project Officer was employed to establish the service and undertake a process of needs assessment. The needs assessment has taken two forms:

1. A formal needs assessment survey, reported on here; and,
2. The establishment of a support, information and referral service for men on sexual assault issues.

By establishing an operational service, the Steering Committee intended to gain a different perspective, by monitoring and evaluating the development and activities of the service, the needs expressed by men using the service. The development of SAMSSA has been informed by the expressed needs of:

• Male survivors of sexual assault and child sexual abuse
• The partners, family and friends of male survivors
• Workers in a variety of sectors (principally the health, drug and alcohol, youth, education, and community sectors) who are working with male survivors
• Other members of the community using the service

SAMSSA has also been informed by the experience, ideas and knowledge of a number of key agencies, especially:

• Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
• Young Men's Support Network
• AIDS Action Council
• Health Centre Social Workers (ACT Community Care)

The Needs Assessment Survey forms a part of a broader needs analysis strategy undertaken by SAMSSA in cooperation with other services. It provides a pool of information and data about men's experience of sexual violence and its impacts in their lives, and the kind of service that men and women are requesting for the ACT. It also provides an opportunity for men and women to make comment on such a service confidentially, where they might not otherwise do so.
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Methodology

Survey Design
The questions asked on the survey were designed to elicit to following information:

1. Demographic information about the person completing the survey
2. A point of comparison with studies/estimates on the prevalence of male sexual assault in the community
3. An opinion on the need for and nature of a men's sexual assault service
4. Qualitative and quantitative information on men's experience of sexual violence
5. Qualitative and quantitative information about the impact of sexual assault in men's lives and in the community

It was considered important that:

• the questions in the survey elicit as much qualitative information as quantitative;
• in filling out the survey, the men and women who provided the story of their experience and knowledge feel that it was a worthwhile and positive, if difficult, process to participate in.

The nature and wording of questions were refined through interviews with men using SAMSSA for support, information and referral services, consultation and negotiation with members of the SAMSSA Steering Committee and the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (as auspicing body for the project).

The survey was piloted with two existing clients of the service, who provided invaluable comments and additions, and gave verbal feedback on their emotional and mental responses to the process of completing the survey.

Rather than enter into lengthy definitions within the survey, an attachment was added that defined a number of the terms used throughout the survey, as well as summarizing information about the different forms in which sexual violence is used. This information also included summary statements based on the ACT Crimes Act, Section 92 (Sexual Crimes).

Identified Population
Two groups of people in the community were identified as key respondents to the survey:

1. Men who are survivors of child sexual abuse, adult sexual assault or any form of sexual violence
2. The partners, family, friends and supporters of male survivors.

The second group is clearly identified because these people are clearly impacted by sexual violence against the men and boys in their lives, and have a vested interest in the design, development and provision of sexual assault support services to men.

Distribution
The majority of surveys were distributed through the SAMSSA Steering Committee, the membership being drawn from existing providers of services to male survivors and interested members of the ACT community. A number of other agencies who are known to work with male survivors, or who are likely to be used by male survivors, were also provided with copies of the surveys for distribution.

Initially, the survey was designed as a two-week snapshot survey. Some services were requested to make their clients aware of the survey in a two-week period only. The timeframe for completing this process was lengthened to allow for the return of extra surveys through personal networks.

The surveys was distributed with a covering letter addressed to the respondents, detailing the aims of the survey, what would be done with the information, and thanking them for participation. Pre-paid envelopes were also provided for the confidential return of the surveys to SAMSSA.

150 surveys were produced and distributed. Of these, 38 were returned, a return rate of 25.33%.

• 65.79% of respondents were male survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual assault
• 71.05% of respondents were men
• 28.95% of respondents were women

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Summary of Results

Information about men who completed the survey

• All respondents were aged between 19 and 49 years.
• Two-thirds of respondents identified as heterosexual. Of the other one-third, a diversity of sexual identity was named. 15% of respondents named more than one identity, or indicated movement between sexual identities. 4% were unsure of their sexual identity.
• No surveys were received from men identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. This gap in survey returns is discussed further in "Feedback about the Needs Assessment Survey."
• 2 surveys (7.5%) were returned by men from a non-English speaking background. This is a significant gap, given the proportion of men from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in the Australian community.
• The survey would have been difficult for men with low English literacy to complete, and a face-to-face interview would not have maintained anonymity.
• Most surveys (81%) were completed by men who are resident in the ACT or its surrounding region.
• A range of socio-economic status is implied by the diversity of employment situations reported by respondents, when analyzed with housing and other information provided in the survey. A higher proportion of men from lower socio-economic background responded than is representative in the general community. Further study of the impacts of sexual violence in socio-economic terms is recommended.
• The 18.5% of respondents in the Other category in Employment Status covered multiple responses and/or unusual responses that have not been reported to maintain anonymity of respondents.
• 25% of respondents reported that they experience a disability or medical condition.
• Nearly two-thirds of respondents who are male survivors reported concerns about their mental health or experiencing mental illness. These responses focused on stress-related mental health concerns, and almost all were directly attributable to the experience of sexual violence/trauma.
• Two respondents reported that they no longer had any concerns, but they had previously experienced mental health issues.
• 74%of respondents identified as a survivor of child sexual abuse.
• 33% reported being a survivor of adult sexual assault.
• Although a smaller number of respondents reported being the victim of adult sexual assault, the results indicate that a significant number of respondents who had been sexually abused as children had also been sexually assaulted as older adolescents and/or adults.
• 59% of male respondents identified themselves as the partner, family or friend of a male survivor of sexual assault or child sexual abuse.
• Information about women who completed the survey
• Women the establishment of a men's sexual assault service, recognizing the need for such support in the community for male survivors.
• They view the establishment of such a service as an important step to assist the male survivors of sexual violence in their lives - partners, friends and family members.
• They are concerned that such a service be pro-feminist, linked strongly and accountable to women's services, and work in partnership with women to address sexual violence issues for all members of the community.
• A men's service should not operate in competition with women's services, or in any way undermine the work and effectiveness of women's services addressing sexual violence against women.
• A men's service should provide a range of supports and services, including therapeutic and education options, and provide opportunities for male survivors to become active in their own healing and in the addressing of sexual violence in the community.

Men's Experience of Sexual Violence

• The survey results highlight that the single most important risk factor of being the victim of sexual violence is age.96% of respondents reported being sexual assaulted under the age of 25. Some experienced sexual violence repeatedly or on a number of separate occasions in childhood and adolescence.
• 88% of respondents indicated that they experienced ongoing sexual abuse or multiple occasions of sexual assault.
• 48% of respondents reported multiple forms of sexual violence, almost all including indecent assault and/or sexual harassment.
• 52% of respondents reported being assaulted in their home (28% where this was the (family) home of both the survivor and perpetrator), 16% in the home of the perpetrator.
• 60% of respondents reported being assaulted in more than one place (often by the same perpetrator). Almost all locations named were places where the survivor lived or attended regularly (such as work or school).
• 60% of respondents reported being abused or assaulted by one person.
• Of the 40% who were assaulted by more than one person, 70% reported that there were 5 or more perpetrators involved in the assault or abuse.
• The perpetrators of sexual assault against males are overwhelmingly other males. Male perpetrators represent 98% of all perpetrators reported in this survey.
• Responses highlight that the perpetrator of sexual assault or abuse is very likely to be known to the survivor, and in a position of power or authority over the survivor, demonstrated by responses that:

  Family members (being 68% of perpetrators named):

  • 40% of perpetrators were a parent or step-parent of the survivor
  • 28% of perpetrators were a brother or other male relative of the survivor
• Non-family members (being 60% of perpetrators named):
  • 40% of perpetrators were a friend or acquaintance of the survivor
  • 20% of perpetrators were a teacher or work supervisor of the survivor
• Notably in a number of situations of peer abuse, a perpetrator's dominant position of power over their victim(s) was not clear. The use of sexual violence as a means for males to gain power over others is offered as an explanation.
• 24% of respondents were aware of other victims of the same perpetrator who were being abused or assaulted at the same time they were.
• 48% of respondents were aware of other victims of the same perpetrator who were abused prior to or after they were.
• The other known victims of the perpetrator were siblings, cousins or friends in 60% of responses.
• 84% of respondents had told someone else about their experience of sexual assault or sexual abuse.
• 52% did not tell anyone else that they had been sexually assaulted or sexually abused for 5 or more years, peaking at 30 years from the time of the assault to first disclosure in one instance.
• 60% have told someone in their family or social circles
• 60% have told someone working in a sexual assault service, welfare or other community-based worker role
• 20% have told a professional

The Need for a Men's Sexual Assault Service

• Almost unanimously respondents believed a men's sexual assault service was needed in the ACT. No respondent was opposed to the establishment of a men's service.
• Suggestions about where a service should be located focused on its accessibility, particularly by public transport, a central, community-based, non-institutional location, and that the confidentiality/anonymity of men using the service be maintained.
• There was some ambivalence about providing a drop-in space. Comments focused on ensuring that men who used the drop-in be existing clients, or that some screening process be used to ensure that no offenders used the drop-in space.
• There was also some uncertainty about the distribution of a newsletter, given that this would identify them as a survivor to family and friends who may not already know.
• The variety of possible services receiving a high tally/percentage indicates that men and women in the community are requesting a diverse service, able to meet a variety of needs in and for the community. Possible services requested by over 75% of respondents were:

Counselling and support from workers

• Counselling (88%)
• Crisis Telephone Support (80%)
• Face-to-Face Support (78%)

Support from other male survivors

• Support Groups for male survivors (86%)

Education and information

• Education about Male Sexual Assault (83%)
• Written Information about Male Sexual Assault (80%)
• Information over the telephone (75%)

The kind of workers at a men's service

A number of common themes were identified by respondents about the kind of workers that should be employed at a men's service:

• Pro-feminist, with close links to women's services
• Accepting and understanding of gay men, and non-heterosexual sexualities generally
• Well-trained and knowledgeable about male sexual assault issues, if not survivors themselves
• Professional and ethical in conduct, but friendly, relaxed and approachable
• Male workers are important, but referral to or availability of female workers is also important

Being at a men's service

Asked what would be important about being in a men's sexual assault service, the majority of responses focused on:

• A friendly, relaxed, home-like environment
• Space and freedom to sit, stand or leave
• Not being overwhelmed by too much of anything (workers, noise, other service users)
• Offenders (perpetrators) should not be using the service or at the very least not be around when survivors are using the service

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Hackett ACT 2602

Phone: 02 6262 7377
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Fax: 02 6262 7388

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or
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This page was last updated on 18 April 2005