Chico State University senior Joseph Rogers is tackling the tough topic of male sexual assault in an op-ed for his college newspaper, The Orion.

In "Men Are Survivors Of Sexual Assault, Too" Rogers reveals he was victimized at a friend's 21st birthday party, where he believes he was drugged and raped.

But the piece has grabbed advocates' attention for its frankness and for raising awareness of how male-on-male sexual violence is often dismissed by those in positions of authority.

Statistics regarding male victims of sexual assault are scarce and inconsistent. Some will say that 10 percent of all victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse and rape are male. Others will go higher and put the number at 38 percent. Then we get one in six men “have experienced abusive sexual experiences before age 18” or “one out of every 33 American men has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in his lifetime.”

Feeling confused? The difficulty is a matter of language — how sexual assault and rape are defined, both legally and socially.

Does a man have to be penetrated to be a sexual assault victim? No.

If his penis becomes erect does it imply consent? No.

If he achieves orgasm, he must have wanted it, right?

No.

Rogers points out that, until recently, sexual-assault laws only recognized women as victims. In the courts eyes, men were "incapable" of being raped.

There’s a belief that a man wasn’t strong enough to prevent the assault. Or that straight male victims might think that they will be perceived as gay. Or gay male victims may feel targeted because of their orientation.

Male sexual assault survivors experience similar psychological effects to those of their female counterparts: Depression, fear, anger, disbelief, guilt and doubt plague assault survivors of any gender identity.

And, as Rogers states, many of the resources available to survivors of sexual violence aren't exactly welcoming of men: "It’s understandable as most survivors are women, but it doesn’t lessen the need for safe spaces for male assault victims to seek help."

To read Rodgers full essay, head over to The Orion.