MALES ABUSED AS CHILDREN HAVE GROUP

A support group for men sexually abused in childhood will hold its first meeting tonight.

The group is scheduled to meet weekly at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Counseling Center.

This is the first organization of its kind in the Cape Girardeau area.

"There are self-help groups and other programs here for female survivors, but nothing exists for males," said the facilitator of the group, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who asked not to be named.

Studies show that as many as one in six men were sexually abused in childhood.

"With statistics like that, we can be certain that there are a number of survivors in this area," he said. "Reaching them and encouraging them to participate in a self-help program is the challenge."

Barb Morgan of the Community Counseling Center explained: "This is not a therapy group; it's a support group. The only role the Community Counseling Center is providing is space."

The group is run by the individuals involved and is free.

Morgan, a counselor, said: "I think there is something a survivor can get from talking to survivors, other people who have been there. The women I work with talk about a real benefit from sharing their experiences with other survivors."

She said she hopes the same benefits may now be available to men.

"In general, men's issues are emerging," Morgan said. "I'm seeing more men in my client-load than I ever have. When I first started I would have one man for every 10 or 12 women. Now it's one man for every five women. That's a big change. I think men are trying harder to be more accepting of their feelings, seeing that part of themselves and not labeling it as weak.

"When we talk about one in five or six men being victims of sexual abuse, and one in three or for women being victims, you can see the men are not far behind.

"There are a heck of a lot of male survivors out there," Morgan said. "We really don't know how many will come to the support group meeting.

"Traditionally, men don't ask for services as readily as women. As a result, its often harder for men to heal from sexual abuse.

"Some feelings may be even more powerful in men. They often think, `I should have been able to take care of myself.'"

She said the support group may be a way for men to begin talking about their experiences.

"It's not as formal as coming for therapy," she said. "The hope is that by starting this group, we will reach out to some men who might otherwise remain isolated and alone with the issue. One of the hardest things is keeping a secret, and that perpetuates the dynamics of shame."

All males who were childhood victims of sexual abuse and who are at least 18 years old are encouraged to attend.