It has recently been brought to my attention that while sexual assaults toward males are less common than those toward females, they come with their own stigmatization. The stigma female rape survivors face is well-known. You've probably heard a statement like this sometime in your life: "She asked for it," "She shouldn't have been wearing that," "She's lying about it," "She just wants attention."

But I was unaware truly of the stigma behind male-on-male rape until I asked some of my male classmates this question: "If you were raped by a male, would you report it? Why or why not?"

These are the responses I received:

1.

"No, because I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm gay."

2.

"No, because I wouldn't want anyone to know I was raped."

3.

"No, because it would take away from my masculinity. Being raped in and of itself would be embarrassing in and of itself, as would telling on someone for it."

4.

"No, I wouldn't want anyone to know what happened. I would deal with it myself and keep it private."

5.

"No, because it's something I wouldn't want anyone to know."

6.

"No, because all the boys would make fun of me."

7.

"If I knew him, I would handle it myself and deal with that person. If I didn't know him, I would report it. I can't let people get raped by some random dude."

8.

"No, because I would be made fun of and it would be a hard experience to explain. I would only report it if I knew no one else would find out."

* * *

Now for some more heartening responses:

9.

"I would report it because I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that he is out and able to do this to other people."

10.

"Yes, because it's a crime."

11.

"Yes, because I'd rather suffer some embarrassment than have the man who raped me walk free."

12.

"Yes, because what they did is wrong and they need to go to jail. If he's out there, he will continuously do it to other people."

13.

"Yes, because he needs to pay the price for what he did."

14.

"Yes, because I would want the justice of him going to jail."

15.

"Yes, because I would feel violated and that is worth reporting."

* * *

The purpose of this article is not to bash the participants who responded against reporting their own rape, it is to bring attention to the stigmatization of male on male rape. There is a serious problem in the way we view masculinity and sexuality as a society if men would rather let a rapist go free than report it for fear of repercussions.

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can call 1 (800) 656 4673 to report it.