Journal of interpersonal violence
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J Interpers Violence · Apr 2021
Servicemen's Perceptions of Male Sexual Assault and Barriers to Reporting During Active Component and Reserve/National Guard Military Service.
Despite growing recognition of the high rates of sexual violence experienced by men serving in the U. S. military, male victimization, specifically sexual assault in military (SAIM), is an understudied topic. We qualitatively describe servicemen's awareness and perceptions of male SAIM, and their understanding of common barriers to servicemen reporting sexual assault. ⋯ This work has implications for routine screening for sexual violence experiences of male service members and Veterans. Providers' knowledge of gender stereotypes regarding sexual assault, assault risks and experiences of deployed servicemen, and potential barriers to SAIM disclosure is vital for patient-centered care delivery. Additional research to address factors that influence post-SAIM care engagement of males is indicated.