I Thought I Was Gay Because of the Abuse | Male Sexual Abuse

Описание: “At a fairly young age, well, the age I'm starting to go through puberty, I'm having sex with a male...The question was, 'Am I gay?'”

To help raise awareness around the sexual abuse and assault of boys and men, please like, subscribe, & share.

Find information and support related to male sexual abuse and assault: https://1in6.org
Speak confidentially with a trained advocate through the national helpline: 1-800-656-4673
Join a weekly online chat support group for male survivors: https://1in6.org/support-group-chat
View other male survivor stories: https://1in6.org/male-survivor-stories
Request a training about male sexual trauma for service providers: https://1in6.org/trainings

Give to help sustain and grow services for men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault: https://1in6.org/donate

Like us on Facebook:   / 1in6org  
Follow us on Twitter:   / 1in6org  
Find us on Instagram:   / 1in6org  

-------------------------

Surrounded by pine trees, nestled in a corner of Oregon paradise, Darrel reflects: “I’m a very content, middle-sixties man, but life hasn’t always been that way.” He was raised by a mother whose parenting was guided by the premise that her children would end up in heaven, “even if I have to beat them there every step of the way.” Starved of love and attention, Darrel craved it, and that craving left him vulnerable to those who would prey on a child. He was sexually abused by an older neighborhood bully, and then by a taxi driver. Like so many abuse survivors, Darrel was tormented by shame and guilt and his self-esteem plummeted. In high school, Darrel risked disclosing to a school staff member, but he was again betrayed – soon the entire school knew about what he had suffered. He swore to himself that he would never again disclose to anyone, and he kept that promise for 20 years. The next time he disclosed was to his wife, Vera. Early in their marriage, she questioned Darrel about his moodiness. She worried that she was somehow responsible, and Darrel could not abide her believing that. He believed that she would leave him if she knew his past, but he told her anyway. And she did not leave. “We’ve been married nearly 40 years and she’s put up with a lot with me. She’s cried with me, she’s yelled at me, she’s been extremely supportive of me.” So today Vera and Darrel are camped in a corner of paradise, building their dream home, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and Darrel is a content “middle-sixties” man.

-------------------------

1in6 is a national nonprofit organization supporting the estimated 1 in 6 men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. At 1in6, we believe that the tens of millions of male survivors who have had such experiences deserve to live whole, meaningful lives, but we know that isn’t always easy. Entrenched myths about masculinity, the stigma and silence around the issue, and a lack of male-specific services are just some of the barriers men face to seeking help and addressing emotional wounds in a healthy way.

Men who feel unsafe to disclose and seek help may risk exposure to social dysfunction and mental and physical health issues, including but not limited to: depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, addiction, isolation, fear of intimacy, confusion about sexuality, interpersonal violence, and feelings such as anger, guilt, shame, and distrust.

We help men overcome the negative effects of past experiences and reclaim their lives by offering information, outreach, and free and anonymous services for men and their loved ones, as well as service providers working with men.

#1in6