#MenToo 

Editor:

In the era of the #Metoo movement, male victims of sexual abuse are not being heard ("The Right Time to Come Forward with Your Sexual Assault," Oct. 4). In his 2018 Netflix special, comedian Joe Rogan makes a mockery of male abuse victims and belittles their experiences. Rogan seems to think that only women can be victims of sexual abuse, but this is wrong.

Rogan said, "I'm sexist against men. I decided during this whole Harvey Weinstein thing ... if he had done the exact same thing to men ... I wouldn't even be slightly upset ... I'd go, "Ha-ha!" ... I wouldn't be clamoring for justice."

Rogan goes on to say that he would congratulate his son on the opportunity to gain a superhero role by being abused by the female version of Harvey Weinstein and would pressure his son to take the role. This is a disgusting promotion of abuse and serves no purpose but to make light of the trauma many boys and men experience in their lives. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Thirty-five percent of men report significant impacts like PTSD resulting from the trauma.

It is socially irresponsible and morally reprehensible to openly condone abuse. Male victims already have low rates of reporting due to social stigma. Many men endure their traumatic experience silently and alone. Joe Rogan is just one example of the toxic environment in our society. While the #MeToo movement is making strides to open up the cultural conversation surrounding consent, there are still many remnants of gender bias that linger. If we want to have a society that promotes gender equality, we must begin to take a critical look at the double standards of our gender roles. It is time to support survivors, not re-victimizing them by mocking their pain for "entertainment" value.

Julie List, Eureka