Male Rape: Where are the Male Victims of Sexual Violence in Human Rights - A Content Analysis of U.N. Documents on Sexual Violence

Abstract: This paper explores the phenomenon of male rape and how the international community recognizes sexual violence against men. U.N. resolutions on sexual violence have been analysed in order to study how men are included or excluded as victims of sexual violence in conflicts. By excluding men as victims from research and policymaking on sexual violence, an important part of the understanding of sexual violence in general is missing. It is important to understand gender stereotypes and expectations of men and women in order to understand the occurrence of male rape, the underreporting of male rape as well as the neglecting of male rape. This analysis raises important questions regarding human rights and how certain people become deprived of their rights and their legal protection. Male rape needs to be acknowledged in order to reach a full understanding of sexual violence, which in turn needs to be addressed as a crime in order for the victims to be recognized and perpetrators to be punished. This is essential in order to stop sexual violence in conflicts, regardless of the sex of the victim.