Sexual Violence Against Men: A Retrospective Study on Victim Characteristics, Violence Severity, and Occurrence of Injuries Among Male Victims Attending a Sexual Assault Center Between 2015 and 2022 in Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract

Research on sexual violence often overlooks men, with limited studies focusing on male victims. A deeper understanding of this issue is essential for providing evidence-based healthcare and effective support for male victims. Therefore, this study aims to (a) describe the characteristics of sexual violence among male victims seeking emergency care at Sweden’s largest sexual assault center and (b) examine whether the occurrence of injuries and the severity of violence differ according to victim characteristics, assault characteristics, and the victim’s relationship to the assailant. This retrospective study analyzed 245 anonymized medical and forensic records of men who visited Stockholm’s sexual assault center, Sweden, from 2015 to 2022. The severity of violence was assessed with an adapted NorVold Abuse Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. In our dataset, 92% of victims experienced severe acts of sexual violence, and 27% faced severe physical violence during the assault. Assaults by a group were associated with increased severity of physical violence in the adjusted model (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.9, 95% CI [1.2, 12.5]). Additionally, 65% of victims sustained extragenital injuries, which were linked to being assaulted by a known assailant (AOR = 5.8 [1.4, 24.9]), the victim being under the influence of substances during the assault (AOR = 2.5 [1.0, 6.4]), and exposure to moderate/severe physical violence (AOR = 6.6 [2.5, 17.1]). Regarding the victim’s mental health history, 24% reported having a neuropsychiatric diagnosis and 48% reported a psychiatric disorder. Additionally, 45% had a history of prior sexual assault. Our study suggests that the men who sought post-assault care frequently reported experiencing physical violence during the sexual assault, particularly in cases involving multiple assailants. The high prevalence of self-reported mental illness, neuropsychiatric diagnoses, and prior sexual assault among these individuals underscores the need for psychosocial support for this patient group.