Let’s talk about Male Survivors
*Trigger Warning* rape culture, abuse, child abuse, pedophilia, domestic violence, self-harm, trauma
Male survivors exist.
That needs to be said because white feminism upholds the patriarchal myth that men can never be vulnerable and therefore there’s no need for a conversation about male survivors. But we definitely need that conversation.
Male survivors exist.
That needs to be said because patriarchy has taught us that men are not allowed to be vulnerable. Therefore, it’s considered acceptable to punish males who are vulnerable in order to teach them that old lesson: Boys don’t cry. But boys do cry and their vulnerability needs to be protected.
Male survivors exist.
That needs to be said because the abuse of males is much more widespread than the public knows but men don’t speak up or are not allowed to speak up because of patriarchy and the white feminism that upholds patriarchy.
Male survivors exist.
That needs to be said because trauma goes around in cycles. Hurt people hurt. Therefore, unaddressed trauma will either manifest in self-harm or in harming others, or both, but addressing trauma can interrupt that cycle.
Male survivors exist.
