I would like to know why Wade Robson stated under oath in 2005, emphatically, denied that he had ever been molested by Michael Jackson. And now, states that was a lie, and he is telling the truth now, about his molestation by MJ.
Which is the truth? I think that is what has created the controversy, is the changing stories. At this point, I will say, any parent who let MJ within 1000 feet of their child was the problem.
This is not atypical of male victims of sexual abuse. I mean it's not typical of any victim of sexual abuse not to come forward for years, which is why many states have raised the statute of limitations to age 45 for a victim of childhood sexual assault.
But for males, feelings of shame, especially associated with being "gay" for being a victim, or being 'willing" due to not telling, having conflicting feelings about the predator, continuing to hang out with the predator, and even involuntary physical responses to the assaults, is especially intense.
Think of poor Steven Stayner. He was kidnapped as a small child but was relentlessly harassed with epithets about being gay, after he escaped. He became reckless and died driving recklessly on his motorcycle. Shawn Hornbeck? Same thing. So many people questioned the victimhood of a 10 year old taken, tortured, and kept captive for 5 years.
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Myths, stereotypes, and unfounded beliefs about male sexuality, in particular male homosexuality, are widespread in legal and medical communities, as well as among agencies providing services to sexual assault victims. These include perceptions that men in noninstitutionalized settings are rarely sexually assaulted, that male victims are responsible for their assaults, that male sexual assault victims are less traumatized by the experience than their female counterparts, and that ejaculation is an indicator of a positive erotic experience. As a result of the prevalence of such beliefs, there is an underreporting of sexual assaults by male victims; a lack of appropriate services for male victims; and, effectively, no legal redress for male sexual assault victims. By comparison, male sexual assault victims have fewer resources and greater stigma than do female sexual assault victims. Many male victims, either because of physiological effects of anal rape or direct stimulation by their assailants, have an erection, ejaculate, or both during the assault. This is incorrectly understood by assailant, victim, the justice system, and the medical community as signifying consent by the victim."
Male victims of sexual assault: phenomenology, psychology, physiology. - PubMed - NCBI
As you read these intimate stories, you'll learn how society's narrow definitions of sexuality and masculinity have conspired to silence male victims, preventing many from speaking up about their abuse.
https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Male-Sexual-Abuse-Victims/dp/1462016960
With those ramifications faced by a frightened abuse victim, it is particularly galling to me that people would attempt to threaten them with perjury charges. They well know themselves that keeping silent may have led to further victims. Imagine living with that.
Happily, the only time anyone gets popped for perjury is when they can't get them on another, more serious charge (like murder, for example) and they want to go after them for whatever they can.
Being faced with abuse allegations that a victim may not yet have processed or dealt with can induce panic and deep psychological distress. Being asked questions about such horrible and sometimes conflicting incidents can create a sense of horror and deep shame in the victims. They may not only lie, but double down and go out of their way to pretend that the abuse never happened. We are talking about a victim having to deal with the trauma of abuse, coming to terms with what happened to them, something they may not be ready to face, as well as notions of masculinity and sexuality and serious misconceptions about abuse that can render them incapable of admitting the truth.
