Over the past year, child sexual abuse has been receiving unprecedented attention, not just in the United Sates, but around the world. In their commentary, media and public figures are talking about this being a “watershed moment,” a critical turning point in confronting and responding to child sexual abuse. As someone who has been working and researching in the area of sexual violence for a couple of decades, I have been trying to make sense of what it is happening and asking myself what this heightened public attention means for men who have been sexually abused.

What I have noticed is that recent commentary on high profile cases and institutional failings identifying this as a “watershed moments,” has gone on to emphasize that child sexual abuse is a societal problem that demands enhanced organizational and community response.

Since the trial, the Penn State/Sandusky case has been identified “watershed moment in our society.”

In the UK, police investigators have stated that the inquiry into Jimmy Savile, a TV and radio celebrity who is now suspected of abusing over 300 children in the span of five decades, will be a “watershed moment for child abuse in the U.K.”

In Australia, an announcement of a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to child sexual abuse, which came on November 11, 2012, has been identified as “watershed in our history.”

In these public statements and inquiries, attention has shifted from individual cases or dangerous pedophiles to focus on organizational systems and processes, on collective and individual responsibility. Knowledge, awareness, prevention and prosecution of child sexual abuse is becoming our individual and collective responsibility. In Australia, where I live, how we respond to child sexual abuse has now become a question of national identity (a poll found that 95% of Australians supported a national commission of inquiry into child sexual abuse).

This focus on personal and collective responsibility for change has been something the women’s movement has been emphasizing for some decades. As I try to make sense of what is occurring, it would appear that there are a number of factors influencing this call to action.

First, there are more people coming forward and definitely more men now speaking out about being sexually abused. Second, awareness understanding and support is developing with organizations like RAINN and 1in6 at the forefront. Third, there is more media discussion and interest—social media is making it easier to share information (this blog is an example).

It also appears that the collective weight of stories of abuse and repeated accounts of individual and organizational failings by church, children’s homes, sporting associations, scouts, schools, colleges and more have contributed to this call for action. The focus is shifting. Instead of being on what the person offending did to commit the crime and evade detection, it’s shifting to what we can do  as individuals within organizations and society to intervene, act protectively and prevent further abuse.

The argument that we need to improve our systems of prevention, detection and prosecution is compelling. What is equally compelling is the need to work in ways that prioritize support for men and women who have been sexually abused. In speaking with men who have been sexually assaulted, I have heard how they welcome the increased public attention on the problem of child sexual abuse, whilst emphasizing a pressing need to improve community services and support. This is particularly relevant given that a flip side of increased public discussion is that it is stirring things up, men are reporting extra stress and distress, experiencing flashbacks and nightmares that are overwhelming their resources and ability to cope.

It is apparent that public discussion of child sexual abuse—however welcome it is and however careful we are—can be disturbing and produce unintended consequences. Some men who have been sexually abused, are reporting that comments that emphasize the “courage” of men who come forward has resulted in them feeling worse about themselves, seeing their decision not to come forward as an example of a “lack of courage,” adding to their sense of personal weakness or failure. Conversely, I have also heard from men who have been supported to publicly speak about their experience and need to improve responses to boys and men, who feel that the story of abuse has come to define them, both privately and publicly. They can now feel unable to step back, because to do so would be “letting down other survivors” who are not able to speak out at present.

We are still finding our way in developing our responses to child sexual abuse. Our challenge is to continue to work to improve our prevention, detection and prosecution of sexual abuse and our support for those who have been sexually abused. Whether we are truly experiencing a “watershed moment” that will improve our community responses to child sexual abuse and to those who have been abused will depend on us—and on our actions.

—By Gary Foster

Dr. Gary Foster established and manages the Living Well Service in Brisbane, Australia. For more information see www.livingwell.org.au

The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives.

1in6′s mission also includes serving family members, friends, and partners by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community.

Joyful Heart and 1in6 invite you to visit 1in6.org for info, options and hope, and to learn more about our partnership and Engaging Men initiative at men.joyfulheartfoundation.org.

The views expressed above are not necessarily those of the Joyful Heart Foundation or 1in6.