Watch the video above to hear Staff Sgt. Bell's experience as a sexual assault victim, and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Maj. Lenz's expert opinion.
Embarrassment, shame and guilt are often the flooding emotions associated with the impacts of sexual trauma. Many remain silent in the aftermath, discouraged from stigma and the fear of retaliation.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Bell was sexually assaulted during an overseas deployment. Prior to the development of the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault and Response Prevention (SHARP) program, several sexual assault incidences were often covered up as hazing or “locker room jokes.”
Already distressed from sexual trauma as a child, Bell explains that the sexual assault completely shut him down. With the common misconception that men couldn’t be raped, Bell chose not to disclose the incident as a sexual assault. As a result, he felt isolated, started having marital issues, became depressed, and started drinking heavily.
“When I started having my marital problems, I basically used that as an excuse to cover up what had actually happened, putting the blame on my divorce… I came home from deployment, and I started drinking a lot. I would play videogames and lock myself in the garage.”
A study conducted with the National Institutes of Health reports that although women are more likely to report sexual assaults, males are just as prone sexual violence – but are more hesitant to report it. The belief that men “can’t be raped” is counterproductive to their willingness to come forth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes.
[Infographic, information provided by Centers for Disease Control Prevention]
Maj. Burk Lenz, Chief of the Family Advocacy Program and a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at Fort Lee, Virginia, states that most victims become reclusive because of overwhelming guilt.
“One of the things we are trying to teach and learn is ‘it’s not your fault.’ A lot of people immediately assume responsibility for what occurred. Even though someone has imposed themselves onto you without your permission, you now take the blame for it and wonder what it is you did or said that caused that to happen.”
One issue that has that has been popularly reported in association with the Vanessa Guillen case is trust within military leadership.
Soldiers should feel comfortable and confident to come forth about serious issues to their leadership and not have a fear of consequences. Culture change starts with leadership, and adherence to what is right versus what is wrong instills that foundation.
“We need to talk about it,” says Bell, “you’re not going to change the stigma by saying nothing.”
Male victimization stems from ingrained biases and the reliance on traditional gender stereotypes. These regressive gender expectations continue to harm both men and women. Spreading awareness and extinguishing the stigma of male sexual assault is necessary to reinforce public understanding that sexual assault is not primarily a female issue.
If you or someone you know is a victim of male sexual assault, you are not alone. Military members can contact the DoD Safe Helpline 24/7 at https://safehelpline.org/online or can call 877-995-5247.
Any victim of sexual violence, military or civilian, can contact the following organizations. Seek help – do not wait.
(Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
800-656-HOPE
(for male sexual assault victims)
800-656-HOPE
877-628-1in6