The unheard crises of male rape victims by kinza sualiha. 

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.