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With regard to male survivors of sexual violence and abuse , a major challenge is to persuade the community to show support and respect . In many communities , the immediate response may be to stigmatise , doubt or abandon the survivor . This complicates and exacerbates his suffering and makes recovery far more difficult . Helpers should try to speak with community leaders ( religious leaders , political leaders , military officials , other professional people ) to explain that sexual violence is an unacceptable crime in all circumstances and that victims are entitled to help and support .
It is likely to be helpful in such discussions to draw attention to established principles of human rights , which state that in international law sexual violence and abuse are crimes from which every person is entitled to protection . Discuss these questions with community leaders , underlining that sexual violence harms the survivor but also damages society as a whole . If it is not addressed , perpetrators repeat their crimes without sanction , and continue to harm and terrorise individuals and communities .
HELP AND ACTION
Find out what members of the community think about what happened . Give them relevant information about trauma and possible reactions to it . Tell them that their support is vital to the recovery of the survivor . If family and community members cannot be mobilised , try to create new support networks .
When addressing sexual violence against men and boys , it is sensible to make a context analysis . Describe the community . Look at levels of poverty and vulnerability , gender relations , and the broader political and economic situation . Provide information that the community will consider relevant and valuable . Map the nature and extent of gender-based violence ( GBV ), as well as local responses to it . Your analysis should take account of customary law and also :
• The national legal framework governing GBV ( including international commitments and national laws ) and the record of the judiciary and police .
• The work of international development partners on GBV , including multilateral and bilateral agencies and international NGOs . Within the UN , UNFPA is mandated to lead on GBV .
• The work of local organisations on GBV , including human rights organisations , women ’ s associations , and NGOs . Where they exist , associations of women ’ s lawyers are a good source of information .
Experience indicates that the potential of local organisations and networks is rarely fully used . They understand the local context , can access contacts and resources that are not available to international agencies , and are accepted by the local population . If they are involved from an early stage , they can help outsiders to adapt their programmes in appropriate ways to local circumstances ( Herstad 2009 ).
It may be helpful to bear in mind a few additional rules of thumb .
• Evaluate whether the community has GBV prevention and response programmes that can be scaled up .
• Find a culturally acceptable way to present information .
• Promote GBV prevention and response programmes in cooperation with local leaders and the community .
• Address impunity . Encourage the community to stand up against sexual violence and impunity . Encourage leaders and senior officials to set high standards of conduct on this issue .