TITLE:
Water Disappearing into Water: Healing Male Victims of Sexual Violence
AUTHORS:
Yanzhen Chen, Jun Li, Xiaojian Guan
KEYWORDS:
Chinese Criminal Law, Male Rape, Male Sexual Autonomy, Preventative Education, Psychological Counselling, Sexual Assault Victims
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Applied Sociology,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: This research paper presents key aspects of the experiences of Chinese male people who identify as sexual assault victims. The paper will also focus on the impacts of their experiences on their livelihoods. Using aspects of law, sex education, and psychological counseling as a lens, the reportrefers to domestic and foreign sexual assault reports and related policies and documents to explore the potential reasons for an observed lack of support for male victims of sexual assault. It then interprets and synthesizes the results and provides potential solutions. For a period of twenty years, data were collected from multiple sources, including books, journals, and online media. It is worth noting that cases of rape and defilement among men are less likely to be reported than cases involving women. Despite this, male victims of sexual assault are not uncommon, but society, for various reasons, evades the issue. The fact that male sexual violence is not adequately acknowledged and addressed by Chinese society not only affects those who identify as having lived experiences of sexual violence but also leads to larger social problems, such as alienation of oneself from society and dysfunctional social structures. It is, therefore, imperative to find solutions that address the needs of these men. This article proposes action in three areas: to adjust the legal scope of rape and the identification of individuals who need help; to improve the quality of sexual education with regards to its content, deliverance, and accessibility; and to strengthen and regulate professional counseling services, and providing access to competent psychological services through the Chinese health insurance system.