However, the media can also have negative effects on male sexual assault victims because it has the power to spread stereotypes.
Unfortunately, the media can also affect male sexual abuse victims negatively. The topic of male sexual assault is an extremely stigmatised topic due to the number of stereotypes that surround it, and the media has the power to spread these stereotypes. Many question whether a man can even be assaulted, as men are usually seen as the stronger and more powerful gender. Therefore, when a male comes out with their story, it is hard for them to find support from people around them. They also might face being ridiculed and taunted, and since the media is so advanced now, this can all be done anonymously.
“Underage male victims are just “lucky bastards” who should stop complaining.”
Bill Maher
Another stereotype is that the man is supposed to enjoy it. If the predator is a female, many might say that he should have felt lucky that they wanted to have sex with/raped him. Sadly, these stereotypes are constantly perpetrated on victims of assault and are often used as comic relief. An example of this is a quote from Bill Maher. In a 2014 episode of Real Time, he joked that “underage male victims are just “lucky bastards” who should stop complaining”. Even though this was intended as a joke, this is an example of how male sexual assault is not treated seriously by many people.