Power and Prejudice: Exploring the Impact of Dominant Discourse on Disclosures of Adult Male Sexual Assault

Male victims of adult sexual assault (ASA) face unique barriers to disclosure and support seeking post-assault. Despite growing attention to ASA and increased self-reporting rates represented by male and trans victims, their treatment needs remain understudied and largely absent from public discourse, particularly from an intersectional perspective. This paper uses intersectional feminist and discourse analysis frameworks to explore how gendered cultural narratives impact male victims’ willingness to disclose ASA, and the reception of those disclosures. In this narrative review, relevant peer-reviewed literature on male ASA published between 1980 and 2025 was thematically analyzed. Three key themes emerged: the roles of gender and hegemonic masculinity, male rape myths, and prejudice against marginalized identities. These elements in dominant discourse significantly influenced victims’ disclosure and treatment seeking behaviours, resulting in notable consequences and gaps in services, particularly for marginalized victims. These consequences include decreased ability to acknowledge victimization and reduced willingness to disclose, report, or seek treatment. Many victims also experienced high rates of self-blame, discrimination, stigma, secondary victimization, harmful compensatory behaviours, suicidality, and systemic and sociocultural barriers to receiving care. Findings underscore the imperative for gender-inclusive ASA responses, improved cultural competency about the intersections of identity and ASA, and expanded research, education, and advocacy.