Sexually assaulted in my early 20's in the early 2000's while travelling. Beaten and raped. Not using a throwaway to own my own life experiences. Let's see...
First question from the police was asking if I was gay (Canada).
Females have the sympathy and services monopoly on sexual assault. I was turned away from multiple rape support groups because I was a male. Little to no support available. Government paid me 1200 dollars for "counselling services"
Despite well meaning people nobody looks at you the same again once they find out, especially potential mates. Girlfriend left me at the time because I was too wounded bird. Men are supposed to suck it up and show security and strength and it's not attractive being the broken soldier.
The "men are scary and evil" sentiment makes me feel twice as shitty. Not only have I been wronged and swept under the rug because I'm a male, I'm told by society that my gender is something to be afraid of and is the blight of the world - so when I encountered that fear while seeking help it hurt me deeply. I almost felt some like people were telling me "What did you expect - your a male - now you know what it's like to be a girl!". Seriously still makes me seeth.
Father pretends it didnt happen. Mother is a narcissist and uses it (if it ever comes up) to talk about the time(s) when she felt afraid of man and (almost she says) got raped.
I blocked out of 3 years of my life. Don't remember much except I tried to commit suicide once and spent 2 weeks in a hospital. I stopped playing music (never really took it up again "the joy is dead" is what my soul says) and I stopped talking to all my friends.
Watch (1992) Sleepers. When the boys talk about why they dont want other people to know what happened to them - that is the truest experience top my own. I wish I could go back and keep it all a secret because the sad truth is things would be a lot different for me.