11/09/2025 Equality and Non-Discrimination
“Sexual violence against men and boys is a hidden phenomenon which should be prevented and combated, giving priority to the needs of all victims/survivors,” said the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination.
Adopting the draft resolution, based on the report by Edmunds Cepurītis (Latvia, SOC), the committee stressed the need to “counter and challenge ‘the social discourse’ and cultural assumptions regarding male behaviour, roles and power dynamics that contribute to sexual violence against men and boys and its stigmatisation, including harmful masculinities, structural homophobia, and traditional gendered roles.”
The committee called on states to strengthen awareness-raising, prevention and reporting measures, including age-appropriate sexuality education, child-centred and trauma-informed reporting systems, and a ban on so-called “conversion” or “reintegrative therapies”. It further urged states to abolish statutes of limitations for crimes related to sexual violence against children, to review laws on rape and sexual violence to ensure consent-based definitions, and to apply the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.
Finally, the committee asked states to ensure accessible, specialised and gender-sensitive support services for men and boys, including healthcare, psychosocial and legal support, shelters and peer-to-peer counselling.