From Boys to Men: Breaking the Silence on Molestation and Incest
Program Theme:
Cycles of Harm and Healing
This workshop addresses the often overlooked experiences of molestation, incest, and childhood sexual abuse affecting boys and young men. Through lived experience, spoken word, research-informed education, and open dialogue, Rashan Legard examines how abuse can remain hidden behind trust, family relationships, community expectations, and silence.
Participants explore how children learn about love, obedience, safety, boundaries, and belonging across the environments that shape them, including family, schools, peers, faith communities, coaches, mentors, and other trusted adults. The workshop examines how grooming, manipulation, shame, cultural expectations surrounding masculinity, and a lack of conversations about consent and body autonomy can make it difficult for boys to recognize unsafe behavior or disclose what has happened.
The session also explores the possible long-term effects of childhood sexual trauma on emotional well-being, identity, intimacy, relationships, and behavior, while reinforcing that trauma responses should not be mistaken for character flaws.
From Boys to Men moves beyond awareness toward prevention, response, and healing. Participants examine the importance of trusted adults, supportive disclosure, healthy boundaries, consent, believing children, connecting survivors to resources, and creating environments where boys feel safe enough to use their voices.
Participants leave with a deeper understanding of how cycles of harm can develop, how silence can follow boys into adulthood, and how families, professionals, and communities can help interrupt those cycles by creating spaces where children feel seen, heard, believed, protected, and supported.
Learning Outcomes & Objectives:
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Recognize the impact of early trauma on boys and young men, including how it shapes identity, relationships, and their path into adulthood.
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Listen and reflect on personal stories of molestation, incest, and sexual assault to better understand experiences that are often silenced or ignored.
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Identify the risks of untreated trauma, including how it can lead either to cycles of harm or to resilience and advocacy.
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Explore the role of culture and community, households, schools, friendships, and societal norms in shaping how boys experience and respond to trauma.
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Consider ways to build supportive spaces where boys and young men feel seen, heard, and valued, reducing silence and shame.
Trigger Warning:
This workshop may evoke strong emotions and trigger traumatic memories for some participants. It is important to create a safe and supportive environment, including providing appropriate resources and access to mental health support if needed.