Often men are the neglected victim of all forms of sexual violence including being abused as a boy. It is frightening to realize how widespread sexual abuse and violence is in our society and yet how strong the denial of it is. The presenter will discuss the mental health issues as well as define the issues that prevents the individual from healing and having healthy relationships.

1. To educate participants about the impact of sexual violence against men and boys.
2. To educate participants about the mental health issues that impacts boys and men who experience sexual violence.
3. To educate participants that healing is possible through presenters own personal story of child sexual abuse.

Lenny Hayes, MA, Tate Topa Consulting
Lenny Hayes is a citizen of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the northeast corner of South Dakota. Lenny is owner and operator of Tate Topa Consulting, LLC and currently in private practice specializing in Marriage Family Therapy. He has extensive training in mental and chemical health issues that impact the Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ and Native community, and has presented training, locally and nationally on the impact to individuals and the community. Lenny speaks on issues including: the impact of historical and intergenerational trauma on this population, violence of all forms, child welfare issues, and the impact of sexual violence on men and boys - which is a topic that is rarely discussed. Lenny is the former Missing and Murdered Two-Spirit Project Assistant for Sovereign Bodies Institute and a 2020 graduate of the Human Trafficking Leadership Academy Cohort 5. As former Chairman of the Board of the Minnesota Two-Spirit Society, he assisted Native organizations in developing policies in the protection, safety, and non-discrimination of Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Lenny is a Board member of StrongHearts Native Helpline, Wac’ ang’a (Sweet Grass) Inc. Victim Services, and the First Nations Repatriation Institute. He’s an Advisory Committee Member with Capacity Building Center for Tribes, LGBTQ Advisory Co-Chair Council Member for the Southwest Indigenous Women’s Coalition, Advisory Board Member for the National Quality Improvement Center (QIC) on Tailored Services, Placement Stability and Permanency for LGBTQ and Two-Spirit Children and Youth in Foster Care, and Committee Member for ACE-DV Leadership Forum with the National Resource Center for Domestic Violence. Lenny is a former Council Member for the MN HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Council, and a former Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ Advisory Committee Member for the Center for Native American Youth, Washington, D.C. Lenny was selected to be a recipient of the 2018 Bonnie Heavy Runner Advocacy Award at the 16th National Indian Nations Conference “Justice for Victims of Crime.”