Click here to see a clip of Scott Brown’s CBS interview

Scott Brown recently revealed that he was sexually abused as a boy. The Republican senator from Massachusetts says he felt embarrassed, hurt, and afraid. How does sexual abuse usually affect boys? The impact depends on a lot of different factors:* The age of the boy and the age of the perpetrator

* The relationship between them (friend, relative, caretaker, stranger)

* Threats made if the boy were to tell about the abuse

* The extent of physical injury or pain

* If the boy keeps the abuse secret, it seems to have a more negative outcome

* If the parents find out about abuse, their reaction plays a huge role in helping their son recover

Child sexual abuse is a horrible violation, and one that can cause damage for many years. Boys who are sexually abused often feel tremendous shame and guilt.

One book that addresses this issue is Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse by Mike Lew.

Online information and support can be found at www.malesurvivor.com.