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Sexual Abuse of Boys: Addressing Shame and Finding Support

Asked by Danish, Sargodha · 9 June 2026 at 12:35 pm PKT

It takes immense courage to acknowledge past sexual abuse, especially for men who often face unique societal pressures and silence. This page offers a safe space to understand the impact of male child sexual abuse and find pathways to healing.

I am a man and I was abused as a boy. I have never said it out loud because everyone assumes this only happens to girls. The shame is eating me from the inside.

It takes immense courage to even think these words, let alone write them down, and we want you to know we hear you. Your experience is real, and it is deeply painful. While society often wrongly assumes that abuse only happens to girls, this is far from the truth. Many men and boys have suffered similar experiences, and the pain and confusion you feel are valid, regardless of gender. You are not alone in this, and what happened to you was absolutely not your fault.

The shame you're carrying is a heavy burden, but it belongs entirely to the person who harmed you, not to you. It's a common reaction for survivors to feel shame, secrecy, and isolation, especially when they feel their experience doesn't fit a common narrative. What was done to you was not normal or deserved, and you did nothing to cause it. Please understand that the silence you've kept has been a way to cope, but it doesn't mean you are to blame.

Breaking that silence, even just a little, can be the first step towards healing and lifting that weight. Finding someone you trust deeply, perhaps a close friend or a family member, to confide in can make a big difference. Or, if you prefer, speaking with a verified health professional can offer a safe, confidential space where you can share your story without judgment. Zara is here to talk if you need a starting point for a conversation like that.

You don't have to carry this burden by yourself anymore. Help exists, and there are many people who understand and want to support you through this journey. Taking that step to share what happened, in your own time and in a way that feels safe for you, can be incredibly freeing.

Names and cities shown here are examples. Every question is published anonymously — we never ask for, store or show the name, city or contact details of the person who wrote it.

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Answered by the Depression.pk team
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