Since it's pretty much common practice in any forum I've been in before, I wanted to make this thread and introduce myself.

I'm a male survivor of sexual abuse, 21 years old and recently graduated college with a bachelor's degree in nursing of all things. I'm pretty nervous about being here but I was steered here by some resources and I figure I could at least try.

I'm not really sure what other kind of information there is to share, but feel free to ask away if you're curious.

Welcome, Jw...

feel free to share as much or as little as you are ready for - at whatever time you feel like it. there is a great diversity here in the amount that people share and in the details of their experiences. what we have in common is the shared bond of abuse.

you will find understanding, acceptance, support, information, validation, and friendship here. it has been a major factor in whatever progress i have made.

others will give you valuable insights and advice as well.
you are among friends,
Lee

Welcome! I have only been on the site for a couple weeks now, but it has helped trmendously. I always felt like I was alone in this fight and now I know that there are so many people like me. No matter what issues you have, there will be someone here that will have advice. I am telling you....it is amazing! Hope you enjoyee the site and get to where you need to be with everything you are dealing with. I am 24, so I am also a younger member on here. If you even want to chat, feel free!

Welcome and jump right in brother. This is a great site with great and very open people. You are among friends.

Welcome JW,

I am also a nurse and a male survivor of sexual abuse. You are very couragous to seek healing at the age of 21. Many of us held it in till middle age and it ruined our lives. You have your whole life ahead of you to live as a whole healthy man. Chicks dig that! (umm I guess guys do too). Run with it. It will be painful and hard, but worth it. Post when the going gets rough and you'll find out how many friends you have on MS>

Gary

@Gary: Thanks. Lol it's not really seemed to make much difference with the women I've been around. Still working on getting that first job. Big pain in the butt when everyone seems to want 1 year experience minimum.

@Country: Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement.

@TJP: thanks, and it's nice to see the response already-- I've kind of been dying to find a group of guys that went through similar to what I did.

@Traveler: thanks-- it's all kind of overwhelming with all the stuff there is I could talk about but yeah, I'm just going to try and take it slow as possible at first to see how it goes.

Brave step! Congrats on taking it!

I really admire all you young guys working on these issues already. For many here I'm a "younger" fellow too (I'm only 37).

Started my journey on this site here 5 years ago, when I was 32, which according to numbers and statistics puts me ahead of the averages game as well.

You've already gotten some good advice, definitely don't rush it, and share only what you're comfortable sharing. Also in that quest to find people with similar experiences, don't dig in too deep to all the survivor stories here. They are difficult and full of so many horrible things, and you'll find yourself triggered and I know for me, I had to up and stop reading them altogether because it just caused me to spiral down into a puddle of mess.

Jwmcd2

You may not believe this, but you share many things with many of us. I was raped too, I was molested too, and many of the self blame points of view you share we also understand and fight a little. Keep showing up, we love you man, and you can do this.

Geoff

Welcome. I am a recent member too and found this site to be an awesome resource. I am also a survivor, but I am moving forward thanks in part to the people I have met here, and with the counseling I am now getting because I finally found the strength to start.

Thanks guys. The welcome I've gotten has made it a little bit easier to make me want to look around a bit-- to be honest I'm so used to forums and such being kind of cut-throat that it's surprising to find a place like this.