A Qualitative Investigation of Service Providers’ Experiences Supporting Raped and Sexually Abused Men

Widanaralalage, B. Kennath; Hine, Benjamin A.; Murphy, Anthony D.; Murji, Karim

doi:10.1891/vv-2022-0084

Cited by 23Sexual Assault and Victimization StudiesIntimate Partner and Family ViolenceMilitary, Security, and Education Studies

A Qualitative Investigation of Service Providers’ Experiences Supporting Raped and Sexually Abused Men

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Widanaralalage, B. Kennath, Hine, Benjamin A., Murphy, Anthony D., Murji, Karim·2023·Violence and Victims

DOI 10.1891/vv-2022-0084

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Abstract

Substantial gaps remain in our understanding of the risks and barriers that exist for men affected by rape and sexual abuse. The present research utilized semi-structured interviews with 12 service providers from specialist organizations in the United Kingdom. An interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed three superordinate themes: (a) survivors’ needs for agency, safety, and control as functions of their masculinity; (b) the impact of rape myths and their challenge to therapeutic intervention; and (c) survivors’ expectations around reporting and the police. The role of masculinity and social stigma permeated participants’ accounts, with negative stereotypes and male rape myths influencing reporting, access to services, and survivors’ coping mechanisms. Results are discussed in relation to current service provision within the United Kingdom, and avenues for improvement are suggested.

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Honour and shame are fundamental social constructs in South Asian communities.
“As honour and shame are fundamental social constructs in South Asian communities [50]”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [50]
The Introduction (page unavailable) reports that men from non-white backgrounds may face cultural pressure to conceal sexual trauma to avoid shame and dishonouring their families. It does not identify South Asian communities or establish honour and shame as fundamental social constructs within them. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-evaluative emotions such as guilt, shame, and self-blame further deter disclosure, reducing access to care.
“Self-evaluative emotions such as guilt, shame, and self-blame further deter disclosure, reducing access to care [2, 50].”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [50]
In “Agency: ‘owning’ the victimisation” (page unavailable), providers describe guilt, shame, and self-blame as experiences that complicate therapeutic recovery. The Discussion (page unavailable) says that avoiding humiliation can prevent men from disclosing and seeking help. The paper does not clearly establish that guilt and self-blame themselves deter disclosure and thereby reduce access to care. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Shame and stigma are known barriers for male rape survivors, often preventing them from recognizing their victimisation.
“Shame and stigma are known barriers for male rape survivors, often preventing them from recognizing their victimisation [2, 50].”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [50]
Frustration and regret reported by participants reflected evidence of institutional betrayal trauma.
“frustration and regret reported by participants reflected evidence of institutional betrayal trauma [67] often reported by service organisation who support men with lived experiences of abuse [50].”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [50]

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Authors: Widanaralalage, B. K., Hine, B. A., Murphy, A. D., & Murji, K.
Affiliations: University of Westminster (GB)
University of West London (GB)
University of Birmingham (GB)
ORCID: Widanaralalage, B. Kennath
Hine, Benjamin A.
Murphy, Anthony D.
Murji, Karim
Venue: Violence and Victims
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company
Published: 2023-01-30
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
Pages: 53-76
ISSN: 0886-6708 (ISSN-L)
1945-7073
DOI: 10.1891/vv-2022-0084
OpenAlex: W4318485265
Cited by: 23
References: 66
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 3
FWCI: 9.59
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Locations: Violence and Victims (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
UWL Repository (University of West London) (acceptedVersion)
University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics: Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Military, Security, and Education Studies
Keywords: masculinity, rape myths, social stigma, service providers, police reporting, access to support services, agency and control, therapeutic interventions, coping strategies
MeSH terms: Humans, Male, Rape, Sexual Behavior, Sex Offenses, Substance-Related Disorders, Qualitative Research, Masculinity, Social Stigma

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A Qualitative Investigation of Service Providers’ Experiences Supporting Raped and Sexually Abused Men

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