The Meaning of Men S4, Ep2: The Meaning of Male Survivors | Understanding sexual abuse against men
Why is it still so hard to believe that men can be victims of sexual abuse?
In this episode of The Meaning of Men, I sit down with Duncan Craig OBE, founder of We Are Survivors, the leading UK charity supporting male survivors of sexual violence. Together, we explore the hidden reality of sexual abuse, exploitation, and violence experienced by boys and men—and why silence, stigma, and outdated assumptions keep so many suffering alone.
Duncan shares his personal journey as a survivor, the work he’s done supporting thousands of men each year, and the cultural myths that frame men solely as perpetrators rather than victims. This conversation challenges ideas around masculinity, shame, power, and vulnerability, while examining how systems, language, and policy continue to fail male survivors.
In this episode you will learn:-
Why men often take over 20 years to disclose sexual abuse
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How stigma and masculinity silence male survivors
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What sexual exploitation of men actually looks like today
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Why current laws and policies fail boys and men
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How permission and safe spaces can save lives
Hear more from Duncan
Timestamps
00:00: Understanding Male Survivorship 03:31: Duncan's Journey: From Survivor to Advocate 06:26: The National Landscape of Male Sexual Abuse 09:09: Breaking the Stigma: Male Victims Speak Out 12:12: The Complexity of Male Sexual Exploitation 14:57: Permission to Speak: The Emotional Landscape 17:44: Patterns of Disclosure: How Men Share Their Stories 20:28: The Role of Policy in Supporting Male Survivors 23:45: Creating Safe Spaces for Men 26:25: The Importance of Value and Self-Worth 29:23: Hope and Healing: Encouraging Men to Seek Help