More Male Victims Report Sex Abuse

Men make up an increasing number of reported victims of sexual abuse in Korea, prompting greater efforts from agencies to help them.

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According to the National Police Agency, men accounted for 5.1 percent of victims or 603 last year, up from 3.8 percent or 474 in 2011. Adults over 21 made up half of these.

But there is little support available for male victims. Adult men who underwent counseling at Sunflower Centers dedicated to victims of sexual abuse accounted for a mere 10 percent of all victims who received counseling there.

Most male victims said they did not ask for help, or if they did turned to neighbors or friends rather than the police. Many male victims fear reporting abuse would cast doubt on their sexual orientation or masculinity.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family decided on Thursday to distribute pamphlets to 36 Sunflower Centers specifically addressing male victims. "The publication of the pamphlet is a first step in changing people's perception of male sexual abuse", a ministry official said.