Why do we always raise our voices with women? Why do we celebrate the
Aurat March? Why do we always stand behind women? Why do not we stand
with men who suffer the same traumatic stress, pain anxiety, and
stress? Why have we always said that men are painless? Today I am
going to shed light on the experience of young male victims. Who
suffer a lot in their life but do not disclose to others the voices of
young male victims often go unheard in the discourse surrounding rape
cases. In Pakistan, where the focus has traditionally been on female
victims, it is imperative to shed light on the harrowing experiences
of young boys who suffer in silence. The trauma experienced by young
male victims of rape in Pakistan is often compounded by societal
attitudes, stigma, and cultural norms. Boys face immense challenges in
expressing their pain and seeking support due to the prevailing
misconception that males are less likely to be victims of sexual
assault. The lack of acknowledgment and understanding of their trauma
perpetuates a cycle of silence and neglect. Young boys who survive
rape often face severe social stigmatization and victim-blaming. The
fear of being ostracized or labeled weak prevents them from coming
forward and sharing their experiences. This societal response
perpetuates the trauma and denies them the support and justice they
deserve.
The psychological consequences of rape are profound, irrespective of
gender. Young male victims face a range of emotional challenges,
including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and
self-blame. Many survivors develop coping mechanisms to deal with
their pain and trauma, such as isolation, self-harm, or substance
abuse. There are many causes of young boy rape reported in Pakistan.
Let’s talk about the incident in Sahiwal where a 9 years old faced a
horrible incident. He was a student of a madrasa; his mother died, and
his father was mentally not fine. He was completing his religious
education in Madrasa. When his teacher and senior students gang raped
him, the child told the police he was gang-raped by his teacher and a
senior student in the hujra of ‘Qari Sahib’ at night. After his
condition got worse due to the bleeding in the morning, the seminary
head left him home and threatened him with consequences if he told
anybody about the incident. On seeing his condition, the child’s uncle
informed Rescue 1122 and the police.
Rescue 1122 shifted the boy to the District Headquarters (DHQ)
Hospital Khanewal where the doctors confirmed the gang rape. The
hospital sources said the child was suffering from mental and physical
trauma.
There are so many causes like this happening in Pakistan. It is
essential to challenge the existing narrative surrounding rape cases
and acknowledge the equal pain experienced by male victims. Media
campaigns, educational programs, and public discussions should
emphasize the importance of addressing all cases of sexual assault,
regardless of the survivor’s gender. Society must actively work
towards eliminating the stigmatization and victim-blaming faced by
young male survivors. Empathy, understanding, and supportive
environments can help foster an atmosphere in which victims are
encouraged to come forward and seek justice without fear. Legal
frameworks need to be reformed to ensure that male victims of rape
have equal access to justice. This includes sensitizing law
enforcement agencies, judiciary, and healthcare professionals about
the specific challenges faced by male survivors.
The trauma experienced by young male victims in rape cases in Pakistan
is an issue that demands immediate attention and action. It is crucial
to raise awareness and address the issue of male victims in rape cases
in Pakistan. It is important to recognize that both men and women can
be victims of sexual assault, and their experiences deserve equal
attention, support, and justice. By shedding light on the experiences
of young male victims and advocating for their rights, we can work
towards creating a society that supports and empowers all survivors,
irrespective of their gender.
