What guy wouldn't want it? Male victimization experiences with female-perpetrated stranger sexual harassment

Abstract

The present research explored female-perpetrated stranger sexual harassment of young male victims. Across two studies, male participants aged 16–23 reported that they had experienced a range of unwanted sexual attention from unknown female perpetrators, including both in-person harassment (e.g., seductive behavior and catcalls, unwanted sexual touching) and online harassment (e.g., unsolicited sexual text messages and images, requests for nude self photos). Participants reported that in-person sexual harassment started as early as 9–12 years of age and online harassment began between 12–14 years of age. Open-ended descriptions of these early events revealed troubling narratives of non-consensual sexual touching, forcibly removed clothing, groping, aggression, and being followed, with much of it committed by adult women. Participants recounted being asked, in adolescence, to send nude photos and receiving persistent sexual demands, often from older women. In addition, participants reported uncertainty with gender role expectations, believing that they were supposed to enjoy sexual attention but in reality finding it disturbing and unpleasant. Practical implications, policy recommendations, and future directions are discussed.