The Cries of Men- (Caribbean men)

[Jamaicanyuth]

It's sometimes difficult been a West Idian male and dealing with sexual abuse, because as a community your seen as a homosexual.While homosexuality is consider an illegal act in most Caribbean islands, so many young boys are constanly been sexually abused.

I met up on this website in the process of writing a book and it has been of much help. I have now come to realized that the Caribbean is not the only region dealing with male sexual abuse, it's all over. I have learn over the years that crying is my greatest strength as with out crying may be i would have end up in prison or abusing my body.

I have come a far way but it was never easy and still not easy. I lost it all when i got raped at age 21 as i felt that it was my fault, so i ran away from home never to return. I am yet to return to my home but i have dealt with the past and i have moved on. It was the stories of others who made me realized that i am not alone. It prompted me to do a research on Caribbean men (Jamaiacn men in particular) and i came up with The Cries of Men, a collection of stories of Jamaican men who have been raped and sexually abused.

It was interesting to see how the Church has play little or no role in an attempt to solve the problem of male sexual abuse. What i have found out is that HIV and AIDS is on the rise in the Caribbean and yet the government of these countries refuse to intervine. The problem comes about when young boys are sexually abused and then become infected with the virus and then a cycle starts.

It is my intention to save a life, to give back to those who through their stories made me realize that i was not alone. I will always remember the story of the seven year old boy who killed himself after been sexualy abused as he never knew how to deal with it. Even when his family knew about it he was forced to be man about it. My book was for him and many others who need help.I most of all commend this organization for its great work and for giving so many men a voice.

 

[RICK57]

Jamaican yuth - I welcome you here as a brother and wish you every success in potentially saving a life.

I know that when I first came to this site it took away some of the more negative thoughts that I had of myself & helped me back to the track of life and living. By posting here, you could potentially save someone of whatever ethnic group - you may or may not find out that you have done so!

I don't know the ethnicity / race / colour of many that write here, but we all have a common history that makes us one of the stongest bands of brothers anywhere( I am caucasian if anyone needs a label, but I look better after being in the sunshine).

Best wishes ....Rik

 

[reality2k4]

Jamaican Yuth, I am sorry the little boy died because he could not take it. CSA is common throughout the world, I see so many kids taking their lives in my country, and the news always states the same old story "they seemingly had everything to live for"!##@!!!!

Alarm bells start going off in my head as soon as I read these stories, Hmmmmmmm I wonder why. Am I the only one with a light bulb in me that lights up when I read these stories?

To infect a child with a deadly disease is worse than murder just as SA is. God only knows what they go through, but sadly so do we.

I am sorry you had to be there, and the troubles you are facing, but this place should make it a little more bearable.

Good luck with the book, maybe you can post some of it in the book section or maybe the poetry, depending on the script.

I wish Governments could listen to the cries of these kids, but sadly the screams are silent, we need to tell the whole World to open their eyes and ears to what really goes on, then and only then will they be forced to do something about it.

Sadly this day looks too far away for now.

I have Jamaican friends in my country who are like rocks' to me as friendships go,

take care,

ste

 

[Rustam]

Hi Jamaicanyuth,

Welcome to the site. It is a terrible mistake that people make to confuse homosexuality and male abuse of other males. Homosexuality has to do with adult consensual relationships and nothing to do with abuse of power, or violence using sex as the weapon. Thats not to say that homosexuals like heterosexuals cant be abusers.

It seems that abuse is something that all cultures and races have in common sadly. Good luck with the book I think that this is a taboo that has to be tackled from inside every culture, hope your book helps to do that for Caribbean men and boys.

The churches have been as much in denial as the rest of society, and where they have had the power they have used it to cover up the problem. Some of the churches are trying to be part of the solution now I hear.

Thats very sad about the boy of seven.

Welcome again.

Rustam.

 

[Ivo]

Hi Jamaicanyuth,
Sexual abuse is happening in all cultures and in all societies all over the world.
I am welcoming you here like real brother.
In my country homosexuality is not officially illegal anymore only for last 8 years. Unofficially is still strictly forbidden by public opinion and all main religions.

You know what, I do not give sh*t anymore for opinions of others. I just want to be free and want to be able to breath.

I am glad that you find us.

Regards,
Ivo

 

[Leosha]

Welcome here Jamaican Youth.

It is always interesting about how things are viewed in other cultures. In ours, it is also something of 'secret sin', and never mentioned of boys. Rarely is it talked about with girls, but never with boys. Again, if you have been sexually abused and are a male, you must be homosexual, and it is not something so open there still.

I am sorry about that child. That is something that is hard to hear, because I am sure for each one child whose story is told, there are tens and hundreds also who still suffer in silence, or have died also because of the affects of it and we will never know.

Welcome here. I am sorry for your history, and I hope that you can find this site one of support and caring.

leosha