Welcome to Episode 34 of the Gent’s Talk podcast, where we had a heartfelt conversation with content creator Ashkan Hobian. The men’s lifestyle influencer operates from the slogan “it’s all about the experiences,” and he sat down with us to discuss a specific experience that has plagued him for years. An unfortunate incident that isn’t uncommon amongst men but is unnecessarily stigmatized; we’re talking about rape.
We Can Be Victims Too
The sheer utterance of the word rape is still very much taboo, and you’re further likely to be hushed once you add “of males” to the equation. That is where our story with Askhan begins.
When Askhan originally prefaced what happened, he said, “I’m going to tell you something, but don’t be weird about it.” That sentence only touches the surface of how a victim feels, and that is what prompted our conversation. It’s hard enough to go through such a traumatic event, but as a man, it is often amplified due to the reaction one frequently receives. The psychological, emotional, and physical damage is perhaps more profound due to the societal assumption that “you could have stopped it if you really wanted to.”
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Ashkan’s recollection of the “situation,” as he cautiously calls it, has taken a tremendous toll on him. Which has stunted his ability to trust people. We discussed how “blocking it off” has affected him, how his family took the news, and how it periodically resurfaces at the most inopportune times.
There Is Help.
As someone still going through the motions of dealing with being a victim of rape, Ashkan pleads with other victims to seek help. He knows firsthand how it feels to deal with it alone and does not recommend it to anyone. As much as we remind him that the guilt he feels and has felt is no fault of his own, that is not enough. He knows that therapy is the best option to help him. Accepting that fate has proven to be difficult, but it is incredible to hear that Hobian is not only looking for a therapist, but he is now looking forward to the journey. Cheers to upcoming growth.
See Also: Gent’s Talk: Ep 33 – A Sit-Down w/ Kardinal Offishall
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A significant issue is that female victims have much more support, as males often go untreated. Thus leaving them to suffer in silence. Although it has been subject to more discussion than in the past, there is still a lack of services and support for male victims of rape. Tune into Episode 34 for the entire conversation with Ashkan Hobian, and if you or someone you know is experiencing (or has experienced) violence, please know there is help.
About Gent’s Talk
Gent’s Talk is available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple and Google Podcasts! Episode 34 of Gent’s Talk is presented by Bulova Canada and supported by Ride Rude. It is filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. You can now catch all of Season 1 on all Air Canada flights! Your continued support throughout this journey is appreciated. Thank you!
