Embracing All of Me 2.21 Male Survivors & Childhood Trauma: What Shame Hides with Rick Goodwin
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Oct 7, 2025 
Rick Goodwin, social worker and founder of Men & Healing, brings decades helping men recover from trauma. He discusses the silence around male sexual victimization, how the “male code” masks abuse, the shame-rage spiral, and reframing masculinity. Also practical first steps for healing when therapy feels out of reach.
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Why Many Men Don't Recognize Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Many men do not label childhood contact sexual abuse as abuse because the male code demands invulnerability.
- A study found only 16% of men (known victims) self-identified as abused versus two-thirds of women, revealing deep gendered denial driven by masculinity norms.
The Male Code And How It Produces Misogyny And Homophobia
- Conventional masculinity is a learned code with five core elements including invulnerability, hierarchy, the big man, aggression, and rejecting feminine qualities.
- Rejecting 'feminine' traits leads to disowning, projection, and objectification that underpin misogyny and homophobia.
Group Breakthrough After Authority Triggered Rage
- In a Men & Healing group a new member responded with thoughts, then erupted in anger when prompted to name emotions, reflecting authority-triggered reactivity.
- After staying, he felt better and thanked the group, showing group containment can hold big reactions.