"They laughed at me": Nearly a quarter of men who were sexually assaulted encountered ridicule

A survey by the Association of Rape Crisis Centers reveals that 24% of men who shared their experience of sexual assault encountered ridicule or belittlement. In the first nine months of 2026, 2,848 calls were received by the men's helpline, an 81% increase within two years.

A survey by the Association of Rape Crisis Centers reveals that 24% of men who shared their experience of sexual assault encountered ridicule or belittlement, compared to 4% of women. The survey, conducted in August 2026 among 710 participants, also found that 22% of respondents agreed with the statement "A real man can prevent sexual assault against him." Meanwhile, data from the national men's helpline (1203) presented at the association's conference shows an 81% increase in calls within two years: in the first nine months of 2026, 2,848 calls were received, compared to 1,575 in the same period in 2024. At the conference, held in partnership with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality's Authority for Resilience and Social Equality, it emerged that part of the increase is linked to public exposure to sexual assaults against men since October 7 and to testimonies of former hostages. The data also shows that 22% of men who contacted helplines did so 15 years or more after the assault, compared to 12% of women. The association's CEO, Orit Sultiziano, said that the discourse on sexual violence during the Nova attack and in captivity has enabled many men to share the assaults they experienced.