If males are indeed more likely to engage in acting out behaviours it may simply be the result of us not allowing them to be vulnerable or to be victims. However, the literature does provide overwhelming evidence of emotional disturbance in male victims. Because males are more likely to be physically and sexually abused concurrently, they may be more conditioned to see sex, violence, and aggression as inseparable. This may provide us with clues to explain why male victims appear to sexually abuse or assault others more often than females, why their anger and frustration may be more other-directed than girls, why boys appear to develop a stronger external locus of control, and why they appear to possess a diminished sensitivity to the impact of the abuse on their victims. However, sexual offending is just one possible consequence for male victims.
Male victims experience a number of physical symptoms similar to females.
In this same study, female victimized males reported the impact of the abuse to be more severe, possibly as a consequence of experiencing a reversal of stereotyped gender roles which placed the female in the more powerful role. Male anatomy may play a key role in forming this perception. Because male genitalia is external, arousal to direct stimulation is more obvious. Contrary to popular belief, a male can have an erection and achieve orgasm even when fearful. Many male victims experience difficulties in intimate relationships as a result of being abused.