Introduction: Although the sexual abuse of children and adolescents has received considerable attention in recent years, it is unknown whether the identity of the perpetrator (clergy vs. non-clergy) has a significant effect on the type and/or duration of the abuse of male victims. Method: An internet survey was conducted with 342 men who self-identified as having had at least one unwanted sexual experience while under the age of 19. Men were asked whether they had experienced sexual contact with a clergyperson, a family member or stranger, or both. Results: Significant differences were found regarding the age at initial abuse (12.3 years for clergy, 8.5 for non-clergy), duration of abuse (4.4 years for clergy, 5.1 years for non-clergy), and type of abuse. Significantly more adolescent victims of non-clergy abusers were penetrated (55% vs. 34%), and more child victims of non-clergy abusers reported being exposed to, fondled, or experiencing (non-penetrative) contact with the perpetrators’ genitals. Grounded theory was used to analyze the qualitative responses to a series of open-ended questions about disclosure of abuse. Analysis revealed that 34% of all respondents felt that the person to whom they disclosed their abuse was ‘unsupportive’, and only 7% of respondents felt that any positive action to provide protection or limit contact with the perpetrator. Conclusions: There are significant long-term negative effects of sexual abuse on male victims in both psychological and physical well-being. The identity of the perpetrator impacts both the type and duration of abuse.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Recorded: Sydney, Australia, April 2007
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