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A MALE SURVIVOR

MANIFESTO.

No male survivor left behind

MALE SURVIVORS.

For over 16 years now, We Are Survivors have been supporting male victims / survivors of sexual harms and in that time, we have learned so much about meeting the needs of male survivors and their loved ones.

Whilst research on male victims is not as available as that of their female counterparts, we can evidence that 1 in 6 males will be affected by sexual harms in their lifetime; 3.5% of boys become victims of child sexual abuse before the age of 16; 1 in 4 victims of child sexual abuse are boys; and over 1 in 10 victims of rape are men.

Only a third of male survivors make a disclosure and the average time a male survivor stays silent is in excess of 20 years.

Since the introduction of the tackling violence against women and girls strategy in 2010, it has been and remains the case that all of these boys and men who have experienced any form of sexual assault, rape, childhood sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or any form of sexual harm are classed as victims of ‘violence against women and girls’.

This means that whilst the biggest rape case in British legal history had 100% of male victims, in fact over 200+ young mainly heterosexual men; they are 200+ victims of violence against women and girls.

The levels of violence committed against women and girls, overwhelmingly by men, has warranted it to be declared a National Emergency. We have to keep females safe from harm and engage males in bringing about a change of attitude and behaviour.

We Are Survivors believes that in order to improve the lives of all victims’ of sexual harms, it is imperative to be clear about the language we use in how we see victims/survivors and how we understand sexual offences.

We call on all political parties and MPs to join us in making our vision of ensuring NO male survivor is left behind, a reality.

Duncan Craig OBE Chief Executive Officer

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM.

In reviewing the data in the VAWG Annual Report, published by the CPS, we can evidence:

VAWG Annual Report (2020/2021):

• 1 in 6 Domestic Abuse victims are male

• 1 in 7 victims of rape are male

• 1 in 4 victims of child abuse are boys

VAWG Annual Report (2022/2023):

• 17% of Domestic Abuse victims in the data are male 8% are unknown, 78% female

• 13% of rape victims in the data are male 9% are unknown, 78% female

• 24% of child abuse victims in the data are boys 10% are unknown, 66% female

(Source: CPS Data 2020/21 – Table AR14)

(Source: CPS Data 2022/23 – Table AR16)

The Government’s Position statement on male victims of crimes considered in the crossGovernment strategy on ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) evidenced:

• 1 in 6 males will experience sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation

• 1 in 4 victims of child sexual abuse are boys

• 275,000 men over 16 had experienced sexual assault/abuse in 2022 (ONS 2022)

• 20% of males samples in a data dive took over 31 years to disclose childhood sexual abuse

• 5% of boys and young men experience sexual abuse before the age of 16

• 1 in 10 victims of rape are male

• Boys are generally more likely than girls to be abused by people in occupational positions of trust or authority

• Less than 1/3 of male survivors have disclosed

OUR MANIFESTO.

Our MANIFESTO has been developed through numerous engagements and discussions with male victims/survivors; via conversations with those professionals who support male victims/survivors, often with lived experience themselves; and through the knowledge collected from over nearly two decades work with Governments, policy makers, researchers and academics in the area of male victimisation/survivorship.

We Are Survivors presents this as a way for all political parties, MPs and politicians, policy makers and special advisors to better understand the vital importance of recognising male victims/survivors of sexual harms.

We Are Survivors would like all political parties and MPs to:

• Think about how they can meet the needs of male victims/survivors of sexual harms in their plans and work.

• Include a commitment to improving the response to boys and men in the development of any policy, strategy or plans that address the well being of victims/ survivors of sexual harms.

• Continue to provide a key focus on tackling violence against women and girls in Parliament for the foreseeable future.

Locally, We Are Survivors asks all Elected members of local authorities to act in the best interest of male victim/survivors. We ask local Councilors to champion their local rape and sexual abuse survivor support organisations and groups, and where there is none, work with established organisations to bring about change locally.

We Are Survivors believes that to make our vision of a society where NO male survivor is left behind a reality, we need to build and maintain a strong relationship between Government, local elected members, other officials, and the communities those voted into power are there to serve.

We want our working relationship with Government, political leaders, MPs and policy makers to be focused on all victims/survivors of sexual harms on their healing journeys.

This discussion, work and effort is not instead of tackling violence against women and girls, but as well as or alongside.

Our work is about ensuring NO male survivor is left behind.

For further information, to arrange discussions, and to learn more about male victims/ survivors of sexual harms, contact Duncan Craig OBE on ceo@wearesurvivors.org.uk or call 0161 236 2182 ext 205.

To remove data and information pertaining to male victims / survivors from all policies, strategies and campaigns on Tacking Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).1

Since 2009 across the world, governments and world Leaders have focused much attention on one of the biggest challenges in modern times, tackling violence against women and girls. There have been varying degrees of success, but sadly we largely remain a global society where women are being beaten and killed in the home; raped and sexually violated; forced into marriage and overwhelming far too often, at the hands of men.

We Are Survivors has always been and remains 100% committed to proactively playing its part in the UK’s effort to bring this modern day epidemic to an end.

The current status quo of including the rape and sexual offence crimes committed against boys and men within violence against women and girls policies, strategies, reports and plans must end. Victims / survivors deserve to be seen in their own right, whilst the public must be able to understand the facts of the sexual violence problem facing society. Statutory agencies, leaders, organisations need to be able to be better informed on the actuality of the problem, and they should be able to report the efficacy of solutions being delivered in collective action in tackling violence against women and girls.

We Are Survivors is clear in our ask that any strategy that is developed to tackle violence against women and girls should only include data and activity that is focused on women and girls.

To develop and publish a specific policy on tackling sexual violence, rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation (sexual harms) of male victims/ survivors.

The 2,400+ male victims / survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation that access We Are Survivors every year, along with the thousands of men that have accessed support since 2009, are all classed currently in the UK as victims of violence against women and girls2. This includes the 200+ men that, in 2020, were revealed to be victims of the biggest rape case in British legal history3 .

Whilst this is factually inaccurate, this confusing use of language creates an array of problems for researchers, academics, policy makers, and leaders in understanding male victims / survivors needs; and places victim / survivor organisations in an extremely difficult position in developing support responses for all victims / survivors, primarily not having a clear policy to associate and develop a response with.

Whilst the historic and ground breaking position statement on male victims of crimes considered violence against women and girls was developed in 20194, and refreshed in 2021, there is a growing call from many academics, sector leaders, and survivors themselves to create a specific policy or strategy focused on male victims. We Are Survivors asks that this strategy is given the time it deserves and should sit alongside and expertly compliment the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls strategy5 .

Separate strategies that meet the distinct needs of male and female victims/survivors separately will finally bring this modern day epidemic to an end.

References

2. https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2022-0294/ Supporting_Male_Victims_March_2022.pdf

3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50987823

4. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-to-end-violence-against-women-andgirls-2016-to-2020/male-victims-position-paper-march-2019-accessible-version

5. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-violence-against-women-and-girlsstrategy

To undertake a review of the legal definition of Rape and its impact on male victims / survivors of ‘forced to penetrate’ sexual offences.

It has often been viewed by survivor support agencies that the treatment of male victims of rape can sadly be different depending on the gender of the perpetrator.

Recent national headlines6 involving the sexual abuse of two boys by a female adult in a position of power7 was another example of the minimisation of the crime because the perpetrator was female8

These crimes are generally considered to be equivalent to rape yet are not dealt with equally.

The current definition of Rape is defined in law (Sexual Offences Act 20039) as:

A person (A) commits an offence if

(a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis,

(b) B does not consent to the penetration, and

making it clear that whilst male and females can be victims of rape, yet only males can commit the act of Rape.

We Are Survivors believes that this specific crime, of ‘forced to penetrate’, should be defined in law as rape to ensure the seriousness of the crime and subsequent sentencing is equal, whilst also supporting the increase in understanding by the public of this crime and its impact on victims / survivors’ lives.

References

6. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/what-f-greatermanchester-teacher-29197817

7. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-69026069

8. https://news.sky.com/story/rebecca-joynes-teacher-who-had-sex-with-two-schoolboys-jailedfor-six-and-a-half-years-13162865

9. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/contents

WE ARE SURVIVORS.

Founded in 2009 by Duncan Craig OBE, after his own struggle to find support as a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation; We Are Survivors has proudly grown to become the largest male survivor specific organisation in the UK.

Supporting over 2,500+ male survivors each year, the organisation provides a range of services both in the community and across all 15 Prisons in the North West.

Services include:

• Weekly Drop In (including one specifically for 18 - 25 year olds)

• Creative activities (writing, art)

• The Garden at RHS Bridgewater

• The Safe Room (peer-support group)

• 1:1 and Group Talking Therapies

• ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor)

• OUT Spoken (Prison based talking therapy service for male survivors)

• OUTside / OUT Spoken (support on release for male survivors)

To ensure we are taking a whole system approach to supporting the survivor, the organisation also provides services to friends, family and loved ones:

• Nightingale Support Group (for all those impacted by their male survivor loved one)

• Nightingale Partners Club (for the female partners of male survivors)

• Nightingale Parents Club (for the parents of male survivors)

• Nightingale LGBT Club (for the same-sex partners of male survivors)

The organisation also provides a separate space and support service, We Are Listening, for male survivors who have themselves committed sexual offences to process their own victim identify and survivorship.

For more information, go to www.wearesurvivors.org.uk