In modern society, sexual harassment (SH) has become an increasingly alarming issue. However, because the long-standing perception of women remains deeply rooted, most attention and concern have traditionally focused on female victims. This has unintentionally caused the male victims to be overlooked, rendered invisible, or to have their physical and psychological suffering minimized. It is therefore time to change our perceptions: any victim of sexual harassment, regardless of gender or age, deserves understanding, care, support, and protection.
When society continues to frame men as “predators,” many people assume that men are inherently strong and capable of controlling and protecting themselves in all situations. Some even view being “harassed” as something to be proud of, a supposed sign of male sexual attractiveness.
Yet survey data reveal a reality starkly different from these long-held misconceptions about sexual harassment victims. Previous surveys conducted by ActionAid Vietnam and the Vietnam Women’s Academy in industrial zones in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong found that 53% of workers had experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in the workplace, of whom 23% were men.
Even more striking, a report from the #MeToo campaign by Tulane University (USA) showed that 42% of adult men surveyed reported having experienced or currently experiencing sexual harassment. Although this figure is lower than that of women in the same survey (82%), it is still a powerful warning of a group of victims who are being left out of discussions and protection policies related to sexual harassment.
The #MeToo 2024 Report shows that nearly half of male respondents had experienced sexual harassment (Source: Tulane University).
In the face of sexual harassment, in many cases, acts of sexual harassment against men are distorted into “fortunate” or “privileged” experiences, rather than being recognized as serious violations of human dignity and fundamental rights.
This stigma discourages men from reporting incidents, deprives them of psychological and legal support, and prevents them from being acknowledged as victims. Even more distressingly, many fear ridicule or suspicion regarding their gender identity. Admitting victimization is often labeled as “weak” or “unmanly,” leaving male victims to endure double harm: the trauma of abuse and the denial of their emotions.
Worse still, when experiences of sexual harassment are not socially recognized and victims fail to receive timely support, the consequences can be long-lasting and severe, sometimes exacerbated by silence and excessive gender expectations. Psychologically and physically, victims may suffer from chronic insomnia, persistent anxiety, and severe depression.
These injuries are not temporary; they often endure, undermining victims’ ability to heal. Facing fear alone, without emotional release or support, negatively affects learning, daily functioning, and work performance, trapping men in cycles of insecurity, fear, and isolation. Over time, many become withdrawn and lose trust in others. Some even develop maladaptive personality traits, unjustified hostility toward emotional and social relationships, and eventually retreat entirely from community life.
Today, legal systems in many countries, including Vietnam, are gradually strengthening regulations to protect victims of sexual harassment. However, a persistent imbalance remains in awareness-raising and victim-protection efforts. Most communication, education, and protection programs continue to focus primarily on women, the most commonly recognized victim group while unintentionally overlooking male victims.
This results in information gaps, limited support structures, and insufficient social empathy, further obscuring male victims in public dialogue on sexual harassment and reducing their chances of receiving assistance, recovery, and recognition of their legitimate voices.
At its core, achieving gender-equitable awareness of sexual harassment requires a transformation in how we educate and perceive gender. Children should be taught that everyone has the right to refuse unwanted physical contact, and that no one has the right to coerce another person, regardless of gender.
In parallel, comprehensive and gender-equitable sexuality education must be promoted for all genders to foster a generation that understands self-worth and respects others equally. In confronting sexual harassment, no one should be treated as an “exception,” and no one should be forgotten because of gender. Men—though less frequently mentioned or less likely to speak up—are real victims. They feel pain, they need to be heard, cared for, and protected.
A truly equitable society is not one that extends concern and compassion to only one gender, but one in which all vulnerable individuals have the right to speak, to be believed, and to live in a safe environment.
A civilized society cannot be built on silence. Protecting men from sexual harassment does not diminish women’s voices; rather, it moves society toward greater fairness and humanity. It is time to dismantle stereotypes and face the truth: men can also be victims, and they too deserve protection.
Pillars: Operations, Community
References
Thanh Huy, C. (2025, March 29). Khi Nam Giới Bị Quấy Rối Tình Dục. TUOI TRE ONLINE. https://tuoitre.vn/khi-nam-gioi-bi-quay-roi-tinh-duc-20250328233455976.htm
Smith, T. (n.d.). #Metoo 2024 report reveals rates of sexual harassment and assault still high after #MeToo movement. #MeToo 2024 Report Reveals Rates of Sexual Harassment and Assault Still High After #MeToo Movement | Newcomb Institute. https://newcomb.tulane.edu/content/metoo-2024-report
Madjlessi, J., & Loughnan, S. (2023). Male sexual victimization by women: Incidence rates, mental health, and conformity to gender norms in a sample of British men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53(1), 263–274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02717-0
Keith, J., & Skidmore, C. (2024, February 7). Va.gov: Veterans Affairs. Sexual Assault Experienced as an Adult. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/type/sexual_assault_adult.asp#six
News & Photos: Department of Student Affairs (DSA)