Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Against Males in Ukraine-First Insights on Forms, Perpetrator Characteristics, and (Non)disclosure.

Abstract

Sexual violence is a common but often neglected phenomenon of armed conflict. While conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is often framed as affecting women and girls, increasing evidence highlights CRSV against males; however, empirical data remain scarce. Between November 2023 and December 2024, an online survey targeting male survivors of CRSV in Ukraine was distributed via social media using a convenience sampling approach. The questionnaire assessed different forms of CRSV, context and perpetrators' characteristics, (non)disclosure, and fear of anticipated stigma. Descriptive statistics were computed for participants who reported at least one event of CRSV; analyses of disclosure and anticipated stigma were based on the available valid data. In total, 67 participants, aged 18 to 58 years, reported multiple and often repeated forms of CRSV. The most frequently reported experiences were sexual touching (n = 52; 77.6%), forced undressing (n = 48; 71.6%), threats of sexual violence (n = 44; 65.7%), and rape (n = 42; 62.7%). Perpetrators were most often male soldiers, police officers, and prison staff, frequently acting in groups. More than half of the participants had not disclosed their experiences of CRSV and reported anticipated stigma, including fear of blame, loss of masculinity, social exclusion, and disbelief. The study contributes to the limited empirical evidence on CRSV against males in conflict settings and highlights anticipated stigma as a potential barrier to disclosure and help-seeking. Although the findings are not generalizable to the wider population, they underscore the need for further research, trauma-informed survivor-centered support services, and stigma-reduction strategies.