Sweden is not known for its strong support for gender equality for nothing. In fact, the world's first male rape centre has just opened in its capital in Stockholm on Thursday. The centre hopes to provide treatment for men who have been traumatised by sexual assaults and advances.
According to The Local, the Södersjukhuset already provides treatment for women and girls who have been sexually assaulted, and they get around 600 to 700 patients a year. As part of their "gender equal" patient care, the clinic has decided to open its doors to men and boys who have suffered through the same things as well.
"We are happy that we now can finally open the first rape clinic for men following the rape clinic for women," said Rasmus Jonlund, a press spokesperson for the Liberal Party. "It is the first in Sweden... We think it is the first in the world. We haven't found another from our research on the worldwide web."
Sweden actually has the highest rape rate in Europe. Reports obtained back in 2014 from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention revealed that there were 370 sexual assault cases made against men and boys across Sweden, but experts are inclined to believe that the real figure is actually much higher.
This is why the rape centre is important, said Jonlund, since people who have kept silent about their ordeals now have the chance to get proper treatment.
"We don't know how many people will use it... but we know that there are many who experience these kinds of assaults but don't currently seek care," he said. "Our hope now is that many more of these hidden victims will also be able to get help now."
This sentiment is shared by Inger Björklund, a spokesperson from the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, also known as the RFSU.
"There are myths about masculinity that make it difficult for men who have been sexually traumatised to talk about their experiences," she said. "A clinic focusing on men who have been sexually abused will contribute to the awareness of experiences of sexual abuse among men and make it more possible to meet men's needs."
