Examining male sexual violence and victimization using previously untested sexual assault kits (via the SAK Initiative): part 1, male victims

Purpose – Despite substantial rates of male sexual victimization, male victims are less likely to seek help postvictimization compared to female victims, which has resulted in a lack of large-scale quantitative studies in this area. This study, as the first in a two-part series, aims to investigate the victimology patterns of male sexual assault victims, focusing on key elements of routine activity theory: victim characteristics (suitable targets) and the circumstances of assaults (lack of capable guardianship). Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a sample of 2, 251 previously untested sexual assault kits from two neighboring urban jurisdictions in the USA, spanning approximately 25 years. Among these, 94 (4%) kits involved male victims. Quantitative analysis was conducted using Chi-square tests of independence, supplemented by qualitative coding of police report narratives. Findings – The analysis outlines the victimology profiles of male victims who accessed this post-victimization service and the contextual factors surrounding their assaults. The findings also provide valuable insights into the potential barriers faced by male victims who do not seek help, thereby expanding understanding of this under-researched population. Originality/value – This study offers a unique contribution by analyzing data from previously untested sexual assault kits, shedding light on the characteristics and experiences of male victims. As the first in a two-part series, it focuses on victimology patterns, whereas the second paper explores offender characteristics in cases involving male victims. Together, these papers address significant gaps in the literature on male sexual assault and barriers to help-seeking.