Male victims of sexual assault.

Abstract

To compare the demographics, physical findings, and assault characteristics of incarcerated, sexually assaulted men with those of nonincarcerated, sexually assaulted men. Case series of 99 adult male victims of sexual assault evaluated over a 3-year period. Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center, a nonhospital-based clinic that serves as the primary resource for sexually assaulted victims in the Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, area. All adult male victims of sexual assault evaluated at the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center during the study period were included in the study. Ninety-nine victims were studied, including 80 incarcerated men and 19 men from the community. The victims of sexual assault in the community group were older than the victims in the incarcerated group. Apart from the age difference and weapon use, there were no statistically significant differences between the incarcerated and nonincarcerated victims. The similarities between the two groups suggest that sexual assault of men may not be unique to prisons, and all men are potential victims. Further studies are required to better understand these crimes and to develop education and prevention programs.