| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of shame for male survivors of
sexual abuse. Five male survivors gave voice to their experience of shame. Using a
phenomenological method, semi-structured interviews were tape recorded, transcribed
and analysed for themes. From this rich source of data six essential shared themes were
determined. The results showed that male survivors experience strong feelings of low
self-worth, as would be expected. However, the male survivors in the study also saw
themselves as "abnormal", "freaks", "perverts" or "monsters". This self-characterisation
points to the great isolation and stigmatisation male survivors face in their social
environment. Themes included shame related to the survivor's male identity, sexual
arousal at the time of abuse, and feelings of responsibility for the abuse. A l l six themes
were discussed, as were implications for counselling. === Education, Faculty of === Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of === Graduate
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