Child Support Obligations That Result from Male Sexual Victimization: An Examination of the Requirement of Support

This comment examines the consideration of male sexual victimization in child support judgments. Specifically, this comment addresses situations in which fatherhood resulted from male sexual victimization. State courts have rejected the arguments that young boys have made in an attempt to avoid the financial consequences of their victimization. While these arguments have all failed, this comment argues that state courts have not adequately considered male sexual victimization in this context. These courts have clung tightly to child support policies, but have failed to protect victimized boys by adhering to gender stereotypes about boys and sex. With more education and a stricter interpretation of sexual assault statutes, courts would be able to protect boys from the financial responsibility of fatherhood that results from male sexual victimization