Celebrities Read Awful Reactions to Male Survivors in This Powerful PSA

April 9, 2016 / Joyful Heart Foundation

(Content Warning: Sexual violence, victim-blaming)

“That doesn’t happen to guys.”

Have you encountered any of these ideas about male survivors of sexual abuse? Unfortunately, the experiences of men who have been through sexual violence are too often dismissed or misunderstood.

This PSA from Joyful Heart stands up for the 1 in 6 men – 21 million – who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse. You might recognize some of the celebrity faces – Mariska Hargitay, Mary J. Blige, Ice-T, and more. And sadly, the myths they’re repeating may be familiar, too.

If you’re a male survivor, you’re not alone. Survivors and their supporters can visit 1in6.org for help, and add your voice to say #NoMore shame and stigma by sharing this campaign.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

Click for the Transcript

Speaker 1: “What kind of a man would let that happen to him?”
Speaker 2: “It’s none of my business.”
Speaker 3: “He just needs to get over it.”
Speaker 4: “Why didn’t he fight back?”
Speaker 5: “Why didn’t he tell anyone?”
Speaker 6: “Boys will be boys.”
Speaker 7: “It’s just a women’s issue.”
Speaker 8: “He seems just fine to me.”
Speaker 9: “That’s not how I saw it.”
Speaker 10: “He said he was sorry.”
Speaker 11: “But he’s such a nice guy.”
Speaker 12: “Ill say something next time.”
Speaker 13: “Not at this school.”
Speaker 14: “Not on this team.”
Speaker 16: “Not in this family.”
Speaker 17: “That doesn’t happen to guys.”
Speaker 18: “It’s just a misunderstanding.”
Speaker 19: “It’s not my problem.”
Speaker 20: “We don’t talk about that.”
Speaker 21: “We’re never going to fix it.”