They leave male sexual abuse survivors confused and ashamed about the abuse, their gender, and sexuality. These belief systems effectively silence abused boys, and stop them from being believed. Even psychotherapists, can overlook the possibility of sexual abuse and incest in male clients reserving that possibility only for female clients. In Western culture, men are raised to deny and mask their emotions. There is little room for them to feel scared, vulnerable, or sad.
Anger is often the only outlet offered to men.
Abused men who act out of their anger often end up in the criminal justice system. Other men numb themselves to the pain of their abuse, telling themselves that it wasn't so bad, or hoping it will just go away. They may end up in psychiatric institutions, or in drug and alcohol treatment programs. Either way, they are invisible as sexual abuse and incest survivors, leaving them alone, depressed, angry, and without appropriate support and treatment. Some men, despite these numerous obstacles are able to disclose and are believed.