Book Review: Male Rape, Masculinities, and Sexualities: Understanding, Policing, and Overcoming Male Sexual Victimisation

Abstract

Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARCs) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs). This book critically explores the intersections between male rape, masculinities, and sexualities. It examines the ways in which male rape is policed, responded to, and addressed by state and voluntary agencies in Britain. The book uncovers how notions of gender, sexualities and masculinities shape these agencies' understanding of male rape and their views of men as victims of rape. Javaid pays particular attention to the police and deconstructs police subculture to consider whether it influences and shapes the ways in which police officers provide services for male rape victims. Grounded in qualitative interviews and data derived from the state and voluntary sector, this book will be invaluable reading for sociologists, criminologists, and social scientists who are keen to learn more about gender, policing, sexual violence and male sexual victimisation.– Intro; Preface: Sleeping with The Devil; Acknowledgements; Contents; 1 Introduction; References; 2 Gendering Rape: (Dis)Connecting Men and Rape; Defining Male Rape and Male Sexual Assault; Defining Male Rape Myths; The Difference Between 'Victim' and 'Survivor'; Research Questions; Outlining the Rationales for the Book; Aims of the Book; Gap in the Sociological and Criminological Literature; Hegemonic and Non-hegemonic Masculinities; Interconnecting Sexualities and Male Rape; Researching the Issue of Male Rape; References; 3 Uncovering Male Sexual Victimisation; Male Rape in Prison. Male Rape in the Military Male Rape Myths in Societies and the (Non- )Credibility of Male Victims; Male Rape in the Media; Policing Male Rape; Police Statistics; (Not) Reporting Male Rape to the Police; Police Cultures; Police Reforms; Law and Male Rape; Courts and Male Rape; Conclusion; References; 4 Researching Male Sexual Victimisation: 'The Personal Is Political'; Defining and Conceptualising Researcher Reflexivity and Positionality; My Story, Identities, and Darkness; Introduction to Empirical Work; Ethical Dilemmas, Reflexivity, and Doing Sensitive Research. Experiencing Stigma as a Gay Writer Managing Stigma: Hiding One's Spoiled Identity; Researching a Sensitive Topic and Risk Analysis; Conclusion; References; 5 Hegemonic Masculinity, Heteronormativity, and Male Rape; Male Rape Nullifying Men's Hegemonic Masculinities; Reproducing Hegemonic Masculinities in the Police; 'Real' Men Can Defend Themselves from Sexual Violence; Women Cannot Rape or Sexually Assault Men; The Sexualities of Male Rape Victims/Offenders: Is Male Rape Solely a Gay Issue?; Homophobia and Male Rape; Male Rape Victims and Sexual Promiscuousness. Effeminate Male Rape Victims: The Performance of Femininity Gender, Sexualities, and Reporting Male Rape; Heteronormativity and Reporting Male Rape; Stigma and Reporting Male Rape; Homosexuality and Reporting Male Rape; Getting an Erection During Rape and Reporting Male Rape; Alcohol, Drugs, and Vulnerability; 'Real' Men and (In)Vulnerability; Gay Communities as Vulnerable; The Bodies of Male Rape Victims: Negotiating Power and Control; Conclusion; References; 6 The Criminal Justice System and Male Rape: Processing Male Rape Cases; Police Force or Service Provider?; A Multi-Agency Approach. Police Statistics and the (Under- )Recording of Male RapeStranger Danger; The Prosecution of Female Sexual Offenders; Getting a Poor Response from the Police and Secondary Victimisation; Police Cultures and Male Rape; Purported False Allegations of Male Rape; Police Training; Police Discretion and Scepticism in Male Rape Cases; The Choice of a Police Forensic Examiner Officer and a Police Officer to Manage Male Rape Cases; Austerity in the Police: Implications; Conclusion; References; 7 Responding to Male Sexual Victimisation: (Un)Supporting Male Rape Victims.