The crisis of sexual assault continues to terrify thousands of human beings across the globe. Victimisation of this sort takes place almost everywhere – schools, colleges, offices and even neighborhoods. It is the worst way life could be ruined, as not only does it physically torment lives, it also formulates unspeakable horrors in one’s life, living with dark and lifeless feelings.
Its brutality can be defined as an action by which a person or a group of people sexually exploits another person. The aftermath of such abuse could be deadly, causing depression, fear and even physical distress such as sexually transmitted diseases – ultimately resulting in suicide.
In the past, society has formed stereotypes assuming that women are the only ones who are susceptible to sexual assault (rape), as people label them as ones who are more sensitive and submissive in society. Furthermore, people also assume that men are superior and stronger than women in such situations, whereas in reality, male-related sexual abuse is different – it is one which has gone vastly unspoken or unpublished.
Several reports have voiced opinions about this issue. CNN stated that one out of every ten male youth have perpetrated sexual assault. It has reported that men find it difficult to define what happened to them as assault. Another documentary by BBC reported that one out of every six men is raped, and making matters worse, only 10 percent of cases are reported to authorities.
Why? It’s because just like women, men are also sensitive, they also have feelings, and most importantly, men are also human beings. They get buried under shame – the shame of being a male victim, victimised by another man. Besides, another reason for male victims to hide their fears is also due to society’s reaction and assumption of their sexuality. What could be the solution to this hidden crisis? What can we, as human beings, do to prevent such things from happening? Moreover, what should be our opinion on such issues?
To begin with, we should change our mindset, our thinking and stop being ignorant; instead, we should be open-minded, and learn that male or female, we all are human beings and we can also get abused and suffer in similar ways. Furthermore, we should educate our youth and adults about sexual assault, so that they don’t live with misconceptions and learn to sympathise with victims, irrespective of the gender. Moreover, we should also guide our fellow beings to help the afflicted by providing effective mental care and adequate treatment and therapy.
Lastly, we should realise that no matter how masculine or powerful one appears to be from the outside, every individual has a heart and lightning can strike on anyone, as ultimately, tomorrow it could be your father, brother, son, grandson or even friend who could become victims, so the sooner we change our perception and approach to this crisis, the sooner, our society becomes healthier and most importantly safer.
