MaleSurvivor: National Organization Against Male Sexual Victimization

<p>Christopher Anderson is the Executive Director of MaleSurvivor. A passionate advocate for the rights of survivors of sexual abuse, Chris joined the organization in 2007 after coming to understand the extent to which the sexual abuse he suffered as a child profoundly affected his life. He now speaks publicly about his own experiences as a survivor of sexual abuse, how MaleSurvivor helped him progress in his own healing, and about the needs of survivors in general. In 2007, he wrote and co-presented, &#8220;Ten Things Every Therapist Should Know About Survivors&#8221; at MaleSurvivor&#8217;s International Conference with Ken Followell. Chris has also attended 3 Weekends of Recovery and was one of the 200+ survivors who took part in the historic Oprah Winfrey Show special episodes highlighting the truth of Male Sexual Abuse and it&#8217;s effect that aired in November 2010. Chris serves on the MaleSurvivor International Conference Planning Committee, Communications Committee, and is chair of the Web Oversight Committee. A member of Local One, IATSE, Chris worked as a stagehand on and off Broadway until 2011. He currently lives in New York City with his wife, Jane. Chris graduated in 1996 from St. John&#8217;s College in Annapolis, MD with a BA in Liberal Arts.&nbsp;</p>

<div>Since 1994, <strong>MaleSurvivor</strong> has led the effort to bring healing and hope to the millions of male victims of sexual abuse and their loved ones. Research strongly suggests that 1 out of every 6 males are the victims of sexual abuse before reaching the age of 18; still more men are victimized as adults. For every 100 friends you have on Facebook 15-20 are survivors of sexual abuse. The long term effects of sexual abuse include depression, anxiety, increased risk for substance abuse and suicide. The pain many survivors carry within often makes it difficult to for them to trust, impacting their ability to form relationships with others and affecting their ability to be fully productive members of society.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Sexual abuse is a silent epidemic that negatively impacts the lives of victims and all those who know them. <strong>MaleSurvivor</strong>&nbsp;is the pre-eminent organization that provides help to all those who are harmed by the impact of sexual abuse. Every day our website (www.malesurvivor.org) provides life-saving information and support to survivors who don't know where to turn for help. Our Weekends of Recovery program has helped hundreds and hundreds of men jump-start their healing in a safe environment with the assistance of world-renowned staff. And our International Conference brings together survivors, therapists, social workers, and others who work and care for survivors of sexual abuse to learn from one another and spread awareness.&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>As a survivor myself, I know just how important the work of MaleSurvivor is to those who struggle to come forward and find the help they need to heal. As Executive Director, I feel my job is help others learn the lessons that helped me. Survivors need to know that they are not alone, that the abuse was not their fault, and that healing is possible. I hope that you will join me in supporting MaleSurvivor's efforts by making a donation or spreading the word about us on Facebook and Twitter.&nbsp;</div>