Widanaralalage B Kennath, Jennings Stacey, Dando Coral J, Mackenzie Jay-Marie
Department of Psychology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
School of Social Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK.
BMC Psychol. 2025 Aug 13;13(1):910. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02706-z.
Sexual violence against men is an understudied issue, particularly among ethnic minority groups. This study explored how South Asian cultural norms shape disclosure and help seeking for adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the UK.
Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 South Asian male survivors of childhood sexual violence currently living in the UK. Participants were recruited through specialist support organisations. Interviews explored participants' experiences of disclosure, cultural factors surrounding sexual violence, and barriers/facilitators to support. Data were analysed following IPA's idiographic approach to identify themes across participant accounts.
Three key themes were identified centred on familial honour and pressures, cultural taboos, and barriers to support/justice. Familial reputational pressures made survivors reluctant to disclose and they often received dismissive reactions. Cultural taboos about sex and mental health meant survivors felt unable to recognise their experiences and needs. Barriers to professional support included stigma and lack of cultural understanding. Distrust of systems discouraged justice-seeking, with negative experiences for those reporting abuse.
Traditional South Asian values regarding family honour, gender norms, and stigma created obstacles to disclosure and help seeking for male survivors. Culturally-tailored outreach and supports are needed to overcome taboos and empower South Asian male survivors to access appropriate care. Findings emphasise the intersection of masculinity and culture in shaping experiences of sexual violence. Further research should explore diversity within South Asian communities and experiences navigating systems and services.
针对男性的性暴力是一个研究不足的问题，在少数族裔群体中尤为如此。本研究探讨了南亚文化规范如何影响英国成年男性童年性虐待幸存者的披露行为及寻求帮助的行为。
采用解释现象学分析（IPA）方法，对11名目前居住在英国的南亚男性童年性暴力幸存者进行了半结构化访谈。参与者通过专业支持组织招募。访谈探讨了参与者的披露经历、围绕性暴力的文化因素以及支持的障碍/促进因素。按照IPA的个案研究方法对数据进行分析，以确定参与者叙述中的主题。
确定了三个关键主题，围绕家庭荣誉和压力、文化禁忌以及支持/司法的障碍。家庭声誉压力使幸存者不愿披露，他们经常得到轻视的反应。关于性和心理健康的文化禁忌意味着幸存者觉得无法认识到自己的经历和需求。专业支持的障碍包括耻辱感和缺乏文化理解。对系统的不信任阻碍了寻求司法公正，举报虐待行为的人会有负面经历。
南亚关于家庭荣誉、性别规范和耻辱感的传统价值观给男性幸存者的披露和寻求帮助造成了障碍。需要开展针对文化的外展服务和支持，以克服禁忌，使南亚男性幸存者有能力获得适当的护理。研究结果强调了男性气质和文化在塑造性暴力经历中的交叉作用。进一步的研究应探索南亚社区内部的多样性以及在系统和服务中的经历。
