Exploring Child Sexual Abuse among Filipino Male Survivors

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.