Challenging the Silence: Addressing the Need for Greater Social and Political Visibility of the Sexual Abuse of Boys

This policy briefing provides important findings and key recommendations for policy concerning the child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) of boys.

The findings are drawn from in-depth qualitative research with eight men who were subjected to sexual abuse as children. The study was conducted between January 2022 and February 2023.

The powerful perspectives of the men in this study highlight the traumatic impact of CSAE on boys. The men felt invisible and stigmatised as victim-survivors, lacking recognition and support. There is a need for policy to focus more on the CSAE of boys.