South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

About SAMSOSA

South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (SAMSOSA) is a registered Non-Profit Company (NPC 2012/176739/08) founded by Rees Mann — himself a thriver (survivor) of male sexual abuse — and based in the central business district of Johannesburg. SAMSOSA was established to address a profound and persistent gap in South Africa's response to sexual violence: the near-total absence of specialised support for male survivors of sexual abuse and rape.

Their approach is captured in the motto they take from their work: the journey from Victim to Survivor to Thriver — recognising that healing is not merely the absence of harm but the active rebuilding of a life with meaning, strength, and hope.

Why a Male-Specific Organisation Matters

South Africa's GBV sector has historically — and rightly — centred the needs of women and girls, who are disproportionately victimised. However, SAMSOSA documents the reality that male rape and sexual abuse are widespread, profoundly stigmatised, and almost never reported. Men and boys who have been sexually assaulted face unique barriers: rigid social expectations about masculinity that frame victimhood as incompatible with being male; myths that male rape does not occur or is exclusively perpetrated by other men; fear of being disbelieved or humiliated; and a near-total absence of services designed with their specific needs in mind. The result is that the overwhelming majority of male survivors suffer in silence, often for decades, with devastating consequences for their mental health, relationships, and social functioning.

Services

Resource and Referral Centre — SAMSOSA maintains a vetted network of trained professionals, counsellors, and therapists across South Africa who specialise in working with male survivors of sexual abuse. This referral function is critical: most mainstream counsellors are neither trained nor experienced in male sexual trauma, and poor-quality referrals can cause re-traumatisation. SAMSOSA ensures survivors are connected to people who genuinely understand their experience.

Survivor Workshops — Weekend retreat-style workshops provide male survivors with a recovery experience in a safe, powerful group environment. These events address the specific psychological, emotional, and social challenges unique to male sexual abuse survivorship, including shame, identity disruption, sexual confusion, and the particular silence men experience.

Professional Training — Workshops, conferences, and development forums for therapists, counsellors, social workers, medical personnel, teachers, police officers, and clergy. These sessions equip frontline workers to recognise male sexual abuse, respond appropriately, and refer effectively — transforming the wider ecosystem of care available to survivors.

Online Information Library — SAMSOSA's website (samsosa.org) contains an extensive public resource library covering: the reality and statistics of male sexual abuse in South Africa; the top 10 myths around male sexual abuse and rape; guidance for survivors on disclosure, self-care, and healing; guidance for loved ones on how to support a male survivor; legal information including emergency steps after an assault, how to report rape to police, and relevant legislation; and guidance for parents on grooming and internet safety.

Commitment to Non-Duplication

SAMSOSA operates on a collaborative, non-competitive model — actively partnering with existing GBV organisations rather than duplicating their services. Their focus is exclusively on the gap left by the male survivor population and on strengthening the wider network's capacity to serve these individuals.