Who Is MAVRC?
Men Against Violence Resource Center (MAVRC) is a Philly based community resource center dedicated to changing the way our community views sexual violence against men by starting constructive conversations about this issue, providing access to resources for male victim/survivors, and creating a safe space for community and support.
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*Disclaimer: Philly MAVRC is not an emergency mental health service. In case of an emergency, call 911. Philly MAVRC provides information regarding available resources and a community for victims/survivors.
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Common Misconceptions Surrounding Violence Against Men:
MISCONCEPTION: Males cannot experience sexual or domestic violence.
TRUTH: At least 1 in 6 men have been sexually abused, either in childhood or as an adult (1in6.org). This number could be even higher, as men are less likely to report abuse than women. 1 in 4 men experience physical violence by an intimate partner (NCADV.org).
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MISCONCEPTION: Sexual arousal, ejaculation, or feeling pleasure during the abuse means it was wanted or enjoyed.
TRUTH: The genitals and area around the anus are sensitive parts of the body. It is physiologically normal for the body to respond to touch, even when the touch was not welcome. The body does not know whether consent was given or not: the body responds to physical touch. Feeling aroused, ejaculating, or experiencing pleasure is a physiological response that is not an indicator of consent or having enjoyed the abuse.​
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What To Do After Experiencing Sexual Violence:
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Reporting abuse and/or having a sexual assault examination done is the decision of the victim/survivor. If you have been abused and decide to go forward with reporting the abuse and/or having a sexual assault examination:
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Ages 18 and over: If you are not safe, call 911 immediately. If you are safe, seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Call 911 or SVU (215-685-3251). Do not shower or bathe, as this can wash away forensic evidence (such as fluids or hair), and do not wash clothing worn during the assault, as this can also wash away forensic evidence. Clothing can be placed in a paper bag (not a plastic bag) to be brought with you. If you call 911, a police officer will escort you to the Philadelphia Safety Collaborative (300 E. Hunting Park Ave) which is where SVU and PSARC (Philadelphia Sexual Assault Resource Center) are located. If you call SVU, you can go without a police officer escort.
PSARC provides 24/7 on-call care to men and women who are 16 years of age and over regardless of cooperation with law enforcement. If you decide not to report, you can still receive medical treatment and have a forensic rape examination done. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE nurse) will collect evidence and perform a forensic rape evaluation. Care at PSARC includes: forensic medical evaluation, injury documentation, forensic photography, pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infection prevention, HIV prevention, follow-up care, court testimony, and victim advocacy linkage). Advocates from WOAR are also available for in-person support.
Children up to age 18: If a child is in danger or in need of immediate medical care, call 911 or go to St. Christopher’s Hospital located at 3601 East Erie Ave in Philadelphia, (888-247-4754) or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) at 324 S. 34th St. in Philadelphia, (800-879-2467).
If 911 is called and the child does not need immediate medical care, a police officer can escort the child and adult caregiver to the Philadelphia Safety Collaborative. As well as the above mentioned PSARC and SVU, Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA) are also located here.
Philadelphia Children’s Alliance provides services including forensic and medical services. Expert forensic interviewers are specially trained to talk with children in order to obtain a statement, which can be critical in a child abuse investigation, child protection, and prosecution. These interviews are done in a child-friendly room, typically lasting 30 to 60 minutes. PCA provides an on-site medical clinic five days a week, staffed by DHS nurses, and physicians and medical staff from CHOP and St. Christopher’s, all with experience in the child abuse field. The focus of the medical clinic is to evaluate children when there has been an allegation of child sexual abuse. Victim Advocates are also provided to compassionately walk children and their caregiver through the entire process.
*The above information has been adapted from information available at WOAR.ORG, sexualassault.temple.edu, and philachildrensalliance.org.
Support Available Following Sexual Or Domestic Violence:
There are many resources available in Philadelphia or online, but often finding resources for men can be a bit more difficult. Sometimes, an individual will need to try out a few different resources or therapists to find one that is a good fit. Do not be discouraged! This is normal and not an indicator of an individual’s ability to heal. MAVRC provides a comprehensive list of Philadelphia and some national resources, which will be continually updated as we become aware of new resources. Options include: hotlines, online support groups, in-person support groups, therapists, counselors, college student counseling centers, and shelters available for male victim/survivors.