No Less of a Man: Inducing Empathy to Reduce Male Rape Myth Acceptance

Male sexual assault is an understudied area. Interventions aimed at reducing negative attitudes toward male survivors have received relatively little attention in the field of sexual assault and violence. This may be related to underreported or insufficient data on male survivors or possibly the acceptance of male rape myths. The current research examines the effect of a hypothetical male sexual assault survivor story and empathy writing task on changes in male rape myth acceptance (MRMA) among U.S. men and women ( N = 95). Further, the researchers sought to understand the differences between men and women in MRMA change scores and state emotional empathy for the hypothetical survivor after the empathy induction. Finally, the researchers examined whether state emotional empathy would predict reductions in MRMA and whether participant sex would predict state emotional empathy for the hypothetical survivor after accounting for knowing a male survivor and preinduction MRMA. The results indicated that both men and women experienced significant decreases in MRMA postinduction, and men and women experienced similar levels of change. Additionally, state emotional empathy and preinduction MRMA were the only significant predictors of change scores. Although women reported higher state emotional empathy for the hypothetical survivor, sex was not a significant predictor of state emotional empathy after accounting for personally knowing a male survivor and preinduction MRMA. This research fills a gap in the literature by identifying men’s stories of sexual assault and empathy writing as potential methods to reduce MRMA.

From echoes of silence to whispers of hope: A journey with survivors of sexual violence

This paper outlines the narratives of a female and male survivor of sexual violence. It draws attention to the benefits of assisting survivors break their silence as a strategy to overcome the sequelae of shame that accompanies these acts. The two cases illustrate that both men and women experience sexual violation as de-humanising and assisting them to access and make meaning of their memories can be empowering. The need to develop a screening tool to assist survivors access treatment in a timely manner and further develop appropriate strategies incorporating both individual and group sessions is highlighted.

Thoracic Spine Fracture in a Survivor of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with Mechanical CPR

This is a report of a thoracic vertebral fracture in a 79-year-old male survivor of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with chest compressions provided by a LUCAS 2 (Physio-Control Inc.; Lund Sweden) device. This is the first such report in the literature of a vertebral fracture being noted in a survivor of cardiac arrest where an automated compression device was used.MarshallRT, KotechaH, ChibaT, TennysonJ. Thoracic spine fracture in a survivor of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with mechanical CPR. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(6):684–686.

Male Survivor Perceptions of Seeking Support: Hermeneutic Analysis of a Cluster Case Study

<p>Studies with male survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) are limited in focus and only one study, to date, has explored survivor perceptions of sexual assault treatment services. The current study, sought to deepen the understanding of survivor experience by identifying the triggers and barriers for seeking support as well as how survivors overcome these barriers. A cluster case study design was used with three adult males. A hermeneutic analysis was utilized to identify and explore meanings from male survivor perspectives. The study found male survivors dealt with barriers to support, through a range of strategies, including adopting helping others, rather than seeking sexual assault treatment services. Hermeneutic analysis was identified as an empowering process that enabled male survivors express their experiences. Large scale studies are needed to explore the potential wide range of male survivor experience.</p>

Rare Immunodeficiency In A Two-Months-Old Infant

Chronic granulomatous disease is a diverse group of hereditary diseases characterized by neutrophils incapacity or difficulty to form reactive oxygen compounds, most important, the superoxide radical, used to kill certain pathogens. The consequence is recurrent infections with germs with normally low pathogenicity and formation of supurative granulomas. The authors present a pathology case of immunodeficiency rarely seen in pediatrics: chronic granulomatous disease in a 2 months old infant. The positive diagnosis was based on clinical presentation, dominated by lymphadenopathy, pemphigoid skin lesions, bilateral ear secretion, growth failure, hepatomegaly. Physical presentation correlated with laboratory studies (Bursttest), chest radiography and CT imaging, moderate inflammatory syndrome, low platelets level and the presence of fibrin monomers suggested a neonatal sepsis having on the background a X-linked immunodeficiency (the patient being the only male survivor in his family, with 4 healthy sisters). The specific feature in this case was early onset of the disease, with clinical, but most important, pulmonary radiological aspect characteristic for chronic granulomatous disease. The prognosis was poor; the baby is readmitted in the hospital after 2 months and he dies, having clinical aspect of sepsis unresponsive to the applied intensive therapy. The histological findings enhanced numerous pulmonary and hepatic microabscesses.