Abstract:
The study explored child sexual abuse experiences among Filipino male survivors
aged 18-24 years. Twenty-one (21) male survivors of child sexual abuse from Manila
were purposively sampled and interviewed in depth. Data and analysis showed that the
abuse is usually perpetrated by a male who is known to the child and more powerful than
him in terms of age, physical strength and authority. The process of abuse involved
pamimilit (coercion), pananakot (threat) and panunuhol (bribery). Effects of child sexual
abuse among males included emotional distress, behavioral changes, self-esteem
degradation, health problems, spiritual query, health problems, and self-awareness and
discovery. Most of the participants cope with their situation in the form of sublimation
and gratuity. Hiya (sense of propriety) and takot (fear) were the general reasons why
Filipino male survivors do not disclose their experiences to others. In sum, the study
showed that sexual abuse is not just a gender issue, but a human issue; it victimizes not
only females but also males, the young and old, and as such there is a call to deal with it
more responsibly and appropriately, even in the framing of policies and program on child
sexual abuse.
