An Intersectional Guide for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and their Allies: Masculinity Reconnected
This event coincides with the book’s publication.
Join us for a talk on the new book An Intersectional Guide for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Their Allies: Masculinity Reconnected, where author and therapist, Jeremy Sachs will talk about the creation of this intersectional text, the importance of transformative justice and how the book is aimed at supporting both healthcare professionals and male sexual abuse survivors to better understand the complex world of sexual abuse recovery.
Few experiences carry more shame, stigma, and misunderstanding than the trauma of sexual abuse. This book acts as an accessible guide to understanding the experiences and life-altering challenges faced by male survivors. It provides compassionate and practical insights towards healing for survivors and the loved ones and professionals that support them.
Sachs examines the impact of sexual abuse on different men through an intersectional lens, exploring how their unique identities, circumstances, and society’s views affect their recovery or compound their trauma. Each chapter addresses a topic chosen by hundreds of male survivors who have attended the author’s recovery groups. It includes survivor testimonies, signposts to resources, and reflective activities to help manage the aftermath of sexual trauma. With statutory services, such as the criminal justice system, often failing male survivors, the book draws on Transformative Justice principles to suggest alternative ways for men to break cycles of trauma and move forward with their lives.
Aimed at male survivors and those who support them—counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, family members, and loved ones—this book offers guidance and hope for navigating a path to healing.
‘Packed full of insights, practical guidance and signposting, this is an engaging, accessible, and deeply compassionate text for male survivors of sexual abuse and their allies—including the professionals working with them. An essential guide for those wanting to navigate this complex, sensitive, but profoundly important field.’
Mick Cooper, author of Psychology at the Heart of Social Change (Policy Press, 2023).
Given that patriarchal adaptations mean men are often taught to hide, or suppress, the shame of sexual abuse, to have so gentle, yet so pointed and strong, a masculine voice speak on so sensitive a subject says a lot about the power of the prose presented in this volume. This is an emotional, sensitive tome, written from the thoughtful and somatically considered. This book lays out that road, presents pathways for practitioners to work with what is a challenging, little understood, yet hugely important experience for a good number of men. This is therefore a worthwhile, easy to access, deep dive into the experiences of male survivors of sexual abuse, which offers routes forward for practitioners working with these issues in their practices.
Dr Dwight Turner – (He/Him) PhD, Dipl Supvn, Psychotherapist, Supervisor, and Workshop, Facilitator, UKCP Accredited
[An Intersectional Guide for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Their Allies] is profoundly moving: emotionally, it draws you into the embodied narratives of male sexual abuse survivors, compelling you to immerse in their lived realities often shrouded in silence.Conceptually, it challenges the very core of persistent myths about what it means to live as, and be, a man. Therapeutically, it provokes a necessary and urgent reckoning amongst mental health professionals, urging us to question how rigid social constructions of masculinity implicitly guide therapeutic interactions with male service users, where silent struggles may be mistaken as stoic endurance.
Dr Nini Kerr, Senior Lecturer in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh
SPEAKER
Jeremy Sachs is a therapist from London, now based in Glasgow. Since the 2010s, he has run services that support individuals living with trauma or marginalisation, helping them to connect and find community. In 2016, he focused on developing therapy services for men, boys, and trans people who have survived sexual abuse and rape. He runs recovery groups and a private practice both online and in-person.
Complement your visit to the Freud Museum with one of our weekly tours or talks led by staff, volunteers and guest speakers.
The talks are free with your admission ticket. Book your admission ticket now!
The event will be held on the first floor of the Museum during regular opening hours. Unfortunately the Freud Museum does not have step-free access at this time. Advance booking is highly recommended as capacity is limited.
Concessions/Members/Patrons: Please show proof of eligibility/membership card on arrival.
