A Portfolio of Academic, Therapeutic Practice and Research Work Including an Investigation of the Experience of Male Sexual Assault: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.

In the relative absence of research with male sexual assault victims this study begins to bridge that gap. An in-depth case study analysis of five male sexual assault victims accounts was undertaken in order to obtain insights into their experiences and considers the implication for therapeutic practice. The participants (age range 44-62) recruited through victim support services in Britain and on the Internet, were either interviewed or sent semi-structured questionnaires by email and post. Using Identity Process Theory (Breakwell, 1986, 1992, 1996) as a framework to gain insights and understanding into participant’s accounts, the data were qualitatively analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. This analysis represents a dynamic and inescapable interaction between the participant’s subjective account and the researcher’s interpretive framework. Participants consistently reported a conflict between a need to disclose their experience and a mistrust of societal support and fear of rejection upon doing so. This impacted negatively upon self-esteem and the continuity of self-identity, particularly in relation to sexual and masculine roles. These experiences could be hypothesized as indicative of a struggle to assimilate-accommodate information about their new identity as a man who experienced sexual assault. Therapists need to be aware of these identity issues if they are to meet the needs of male sexual assault victims in therapeutic practice