Black Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Invisibility and Vulnerability

Black men make up at least 22.6% of all male survivors of sexual harassment and/or assault, yet they are often invisible in the conversation about sexual violence. The hyper-masculinization and hyper-sexualization of Black men, rooted in historical racism and stereotypes, contribute to their invisibility and vulnerability to false allegations.

Why this matters: The erasure of Black male survivors of sexual abuse has significant implications for their access to justice and support, and perpetuates a broader culture of silence and shame around sexual violence. By acknowledging and addressing these issues, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable understanding of sexual violence and its effects.

In 2017, actor Terry Crews spoke out about being groped by a high-level executive at a professional event in Hollywood. Crews' story illustrates how Black masculine bodies are objectified and presumed to enjoy others' sexualized gaze. His wife warned him that if he reacted physically, he would be seen as a thug, and the media would portray him as a violent Black man.

Mainstream media perpetuates hyper-masculinized tropes about Black men, typecasting them into roles that reinforce stereotypes. Even in roles like teachers, Black male actors are often portrayed in a way that reinforces these stereotypes. Interracial porn, in particular, sexualizes racial differences, portraying Black men as vessels of animalistic and primal sexuality. One study found that interracial porn routinely refers to Black men as "thugs, pimps, hustlers, bros who live in the hood and drive pimp mobiles."

Historical racism has led to the association of Black men with the rape of white women, as seen in films like "The Birth of a Nation" (1915). This has resulted in numerous cases of false allegations, including the Scottsboro Boys (1931), the Groveland Four (1949), Emmett Till (1955), and many others.

A staggering 84% of a randomly selected sample of 10,000 Americans had viewed pornographic films. Desmond Goss' study found that comments under interracial porn videos often expressed fetishes and kinks related to consensual non-consent and rape fantasies. Gail Dines argues that in most of the Western world, there is a general consensus that a "real man" (read: white) works hard, puts food on the table, and exhibits restrained sexual practices within state-sanctioned heterosexual marriage.

The hyper-masculinization and hyper-sexualization of Black men, combined with historical racism and stereotypes, lead to their invisibility and vulnerability to false allegations. It is essential to recognize and address these issues to provide support and justice to Black male survivors of sexual abuse. Terry Crews' bravery in sharing his story serves as a powerful reminder that sexual violence can affect anyone, regardless of their race, gender, or perceived masculinity.

Key Takeaways

• Black men make up 22.6% of male sexual harassment/assault survivors, yet are often invisible in the conversation.
• Hyper-masculinization and hyper-sexualization of Black men contribute to their invisibility and vulnerability to false allegations.
• Mainstream media perpetuates stereotypes, objectifying Black men and reinforcing harmful tropes.
• Historical racism has led to false allegations of rape against Black men, perpetuating a culture of silence and shame.
• Recognizing and addressing these issues is crucial to provide support and justice to Black male survivors of sexual abuse.