“Sitting in a prison cell with nothing but your thoughts, emotions and memories of abuse can be a very frightening and lonely place. What We Are Survivors do is give the person or prisoner the opportunity to voice their inner issues. They help a person grow into the people they were before the terrible event of abuse.”
For the past 15 years, I have had the pleasure of leading this incredible organisation to the point of now, where we are making so much noise, people are waking up.
This year has been amazing in terms of visibility, in part thanks to our Ambassadors and the world of TV Drama. When ‘Baby Reindeer’, written by and starring Richard Gadd who has been one of our Ambassadors for nearly a decade, dropped on Netflix it blew every depiction of a male survivor on screen out of the water. It brought the messy reality of stalking, rape and sexual assault in a way that no one had before. It’s why 53% of people referring in to our services told us watching the show was the reason they reached out! Seeing Richard on the red carpet for the Emmys wearing his We Are Survivors lapel pin and then when he won, him putting thanks to We Are Survivors on screen to over 10 million viewers worldwide was INCREDIBLE!
Over on terrestrial TV, the BBCs long running drama, ‘Casualty’, aired a story of staff nurse Cameron’s early life childhood sexual abuse experiences coming back to haunt him. I was so proud to again be afforded the opportunity for us to help develop scripts and story arcs, ensuring actor and TV presenter Barney Walsh, could deliver on screen a male survivor in healing.
It wasn’t just TV though that we thrived with sharing knowledge and stories, we also thrived in the digital and audio spaces too.
In the digital world, we launched our two new projects, Survivor Ally and ON IT, both of which really made an impact on the audience we were targeting.
We also launched our very own podcast, ‘Beyond the Silence’, that aims to complement our digital and print magazine of the same name. Podcasts have become such an important way of engaging people in discussion, thought and reflection on a wide range of topics so we thought why not start our own.
It seems that our original Ambassador, actor James Sutton, had the same thought because this year, as well as continuing to play John Paul McQueen in ‘Hollyoaks’, he also found time to launch his podcast, ‘Male Mind Matters’, which focuses on men’s mental health, and he decided to invite me to be hist very first guest, which was such an honour. In this episode, James spoke for the first time about his own experience of survivorship and the power of him doing that led to more people contacting us and essentially saying #MeToo
We must never dismiss the power of storytelling and I believe We Are Survivors must always be at the forefront of creating the space for survivors stories to be told.
DuncanCraigOBE
Chief Executive Officer
We Are Survivors
AMESSAGEFROMOURCHAIROFTRUSTEES
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR
This year has marked another extraordinary chapter in We Are Survivors’ journey. As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am immensely proud to reflect on a period defined by visibility, influence, and deepened impact for male survivors of sexual harm across Greater Manchester, the North West, and beyond. Our organisation has continued to grow both in reach and reputation, with referrals rising to almost 2,400 and over 2,700 clients supported. These are not just numbers they represent our people and our survivors finding their voice, reclaiming their power, and beginning their journey of healing.
2024–25 was also a landmark year in raising public awareness of male survivorship. The cultural ripple effect of Baby Reindeer— written and performed by our Ambassador, Richard Gadd— demonstrated the power of storytelling to break silence and spark national conversations. Our consultation with the BBC on Casualty, the launch of the ‘Beyond the Silence’ podcast, and the expansion of digital projects such as Survivor Ally and ON IT further strengthened our reach and influence.
The Board’s decision to update our charitable objects this year reflects a maturing organisation one that continues to evolve with purpose. By broadening our focus to include the prevention
of sexual harms and the support of loved ones, we reaffirm our commitment to trauma-informed practice and to ensuring that no male survivor is left behind.
We have also strengthened our governance and financial resilience, with income growing by 22% to £2.1 million and unrestricted reserves maintained at a sustainable level. The Trustees remain focused on responsible growth, ethical governance, and ensuring that every pound is directed toward public benefit.
Our success is built on the dedication and compassion of our CEO, Duncan Craig OBE, his Executive Leadership Team, our staff, volunteers, ambassadors, funders, and partners. Together, they embody the values of transparency, integrity, understanding, and responsiveness that define We Are Survivors.
Looking ahead to 2025–26, our “Year of Consent”, the Board remains focused to strengthening our governance, expanding our reach, and working toward our vision of becoming a recognised Centre of Excellence for male survivors. The courage of those we serve continues to inspire everything we do, and it is an honour to chair a Board that champions their voices every step of the way.
ProfessorCraigHarris Chair of Trustees We Are Survivors
OBJECTSANDAIMS
The charitable objects, amended by Special Resolution on 31.01.2025 are:
For the public benefit, to promote and protect the good health and wellbeing of male victims / survivors of sexual harms, and their loved ones, across Greater Manchester and throughout England & Wales by:
Providing qualified health and social care professionals, ISVAs, IDVAs and advocates to treat, support and advise them to cope and recover and move beyond these harmful experiences, and
Providing training and education in, and awareness raising campaigns of, the prevention and impact of sexual harm on males, sharing knowledge and information to support a greater societal understanding of sexual harms.
“Be strong. Take heart from my positive experiences, it gets better if you take the brave step to get help… WE DESERVE IT!”
ALAN
AREAOFBENEFIT
The area the charity can operate in, as set out in its constitution, is Greater Manchester and throughout England and Wales.
PUBLICBENEFIT
The trustees of We Are Survivors affirm their commitment to operating in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. They take seriously their responsibility to ensure the charity’s activities serve the public good and confirm compliance with Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011. This includes having due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The charity’s primary beneficiaries are adult males, as well as trans and non-binary individuals who feel a male survivor space is appropriate for their needs. These individuals have experienced sexual abuse, assault, and/or rape. As vulnerable adults, it is essential that all services are delivered with sensitivity, care, and a trauma-informed approach to avoid any risk of further harm or re-traumatisation.
In addition to direct beneficiaries, We Are Survivors supports secondary beneficiaries those indirectly affected by male sexual violence, such as family members, partners, and close friends. Tertiary beneficiaries include professionals and community members who work with or support male survivors This layered approach ensures a broader impact across society, promoting understanding, resilience, and healing.
The charity’s core service area is Greater Manchester, encompassing all ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. Services also extend across England and Wales, with prison-based programmes operating in all 15 prisons throughout the North West of England.
PUBLICBENEFIT
The trustees confirm that the organisation meets its objectives and carries out its activities for public benefit by providing the following male survivorcentred/trauma informed services:
STABILISATION A digital offer in our website www.wearesurvivors.org.uk and email support (support@wearesurvivors.org.uk) that allows our beneficiaries to engage in services anonymously and enable loved ones an increased understanding of the general and specific impacts sexual harms have on individuals and the communities they live within.
PROCESSING Direct telephone support on 0161 236 2182 for everyone engaged in our support services; facilitated peer-support groups, both in physical and digital spaces, that enables male survivors, and their loved ones, to build their own communities of support.
INTEGRATION 1:1 emotional support and groupwork in both physical and digital spaces, that gives those not ready for trauma informed therapy the opportunity to engage face to face, learn about the impact of their trauma and abuse experience, and develop healthy coping strategies but provides post-therapy support to build supportive communities; and 1:1 ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) service supporting male victims going through the criminal justice system from ‘report to court’ to ensure that the often difficult process is as smooth as it can be and easier to navigate.
ETHICALPRACTICE
PUBLICBENEFIT
The trustees can also evidence the organisation’s further adherence to public benefit as it:
Affords time to our CEO, Senior Leadership and Management to engage in research and support the design of local and national policies, procedures and reports that benefit of male survivors and their loved ones, including the Victims and Prisoners Act, Sentencing Bill, etc
Continue to provide script and story consultancy to drama writers and producers in order they can tell honest stories and educate the public of male survivors and the psycho-social and health and wellbeing impact of sexual violence, including this year on S4C’s Pobol Y Cwm and the BBC drama, Casualty.
Enables our senior staff, management and members of our practitioner teams represent the VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) sector, sexual violence sector and organisations, male survivors, and lived experience on various forums and panels across Greater Manchester, the North West and UK focusing on creating a more positive experience for male victims. This year that includes CPS Rape Scrutiny Panel, Greater Manchester Justice and Rehabilitation Executive Board, Gender Based Violence Board
Works in partnership with other victim and survivor support organisations in informal collectives and formal consortia to ensure that there is a stronger, more collective national voice, available for male survivors to be heard and that duplication is kept to a minimum, so public monies are spent responsibly and effectively
Continually hold spaces for the organisation’s beneficiaries (past and present) to undertake a formal advisory and scrutiny role to ensure that the organisation remains of public benefit, via the Expert Reference Group
Importantly, the charity does not provide private benefits to any individual connected directly or indirectly to the organisation, ensuring that all resources are directed toward public benefit.
“During the court case the team at We Are Survivors really took care of me. From practical advice such as what to expect during the trial to helping me understand the implications of waiving my right to anonymity and ongoing emotional support. They have been with me throughout this process, despite me not living full time in Manchester when I first spoke to the police.” MALACHAI
Chair of Trustees
We Are Survivors
ProfessorCraigHarris
QUARTERONE
We began the year connected to Baby Reindeer, written and starring our own Ambassador Richard Gadd. Baby Reindeer set a worldwide discussion about male sexual violence and went on to win six Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globe Awards, and Richard wore his We Are Survivors lapel pin on the red carpet, giving us the most incredible exposure. In the first two weeks after its launch on Netflix, 53% of all our referrals cited the show as being the main reason they reached out; 40% of referrals were from 26 -35 year olds; 80% of callers to our support-line were first time callers.
Members of our staff team, volunteers, friends, family, allies, and survivors themselves carried on with being visible by taking part in the Great Manchester Run, raising money to help us ensure no male survivor is left behind.
We launched our www.weareallies.org.uk project, in association with Mandem Meetup - a new initiative aimed at better serving male survivors in barbers, tattooists, sexual health clinics and many more spaces.
We also launched our www.onit.org.uk which is a project focused supporting those who engage in ChemSex or want to work through the impact of chems/sex/HIV/consent, and also the professionals who support them. The work was built on a paper by Dr Michael Atkins (Cheddar Gorgeous) and is a unique co-production by We Are Survivors and George House Trust.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Craig OBE accepted an invitation from Baroness Bertin to be part of the Independent Porn Review, seeking to make clear the distinction between pornography, exploitation and indecent images of children.
We also accepted an invitation to be part of a research project into ‘Rape Myths’ in Juries.
Duncan and one of our ISVA Team, Kaelin Fletcher-Taylor, began collaborating with Lancaster and Loughborough Universities in researching into juries and their tendencies towards rape myths.
QUARTERTWO
After months of work, the BBC TV drama
Casualty aired an episode which explored non-current male sexual abuse, which We Are Survivors were consulted on to provide storytelling advice, and actor Barney Walsh featured in our magazine Beyond The Silence.
In August 2024, members of our staff team, volunteers, friends, family, allies, and male survivors themselves took part in Manchester Pride parade, the first time this has ever been done. Our Senior Design & Communication Co-Ordinator, Grahame Roberston and our Community Development Team Manager, Daniel Griffin, also set up www.onit.org.uk stalls at Trafford, Bolton, Bury, Stockport, Oldham and Wigan Prides.
In the interests of further meeting the second part of our charitable objectives, we launched the Beyond the Silence Podcast, presented by George Proctor and produced by Tag Nuttal, who is also PA to our CEO. The Podcast interviews many of the staff team and engages in deep dives into topics that affect male survivors.
We also contributed to Men’s Health Magazine with Duncan; our Ambassador, Richard Gadd; and a number of our Expert-Reference Group members took part in this feature.
We hosted our first ever large scale fundraiser, when the Captain of Mere Golf Club chose us as his Charity of his Captaincy at The Mere and culminating in Captains Weekend, which raised nearly £40,000 for supporting male survivors.
Providing support was also the point of opening a brand new service – Nightingale Service, which offered support to partners, parents and loved ones of male survivors.
As we headed towards the general election, we published a MANifesto for political parties to understand the impact of sexual violence on boys and men.
QUARTERTHREE
Our original Ambassador, James Sutton (Hollyoaks), invited Duncan on to his brand new mental health Podcast, Male Mind Matters as the very first ever guest.
Following the success of Baby Reindeer, Duncan and our Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chris Speed, attended and networked at the Netflix hosted event, Netflix and Grill. They talked about the importance of telling real stories of male survivors and the importance of visibility.
Visibility has always been important to us and so the Board were incredibly proud that Duncan became part of the GM VCFSE Leadership Group and developed a workstream on victims and justice issues across Greater Manchester.
Our Operations Director, Jamie Legge, worked to get We Are Survivors accredited with Cyber Essentials, improving our IT and data security, as well as attaining necessary criteria for external funders.
We were proud to be part of launching the Greater Manchester strategy for tackling gender-based violence against men and boys, a strategy co-authored by Duncan and University of Manchester’s Professor David Gadd. The strategy, setting out how to tackle and raise awareness around domestic abuse, sexual assault and harassment towards men and boys.
QUARTERFOUR
The final quarter of the year was incredibly special. In January, following discussion and debate on the board, we agreed and approved a considerable change to our Charitable Objects to ensure that we improved our language in relation to sexual harms and ensured that we were clear about our responsibility in supporting the loved ones of male survivors, and we made clear our commitment to educating and making communities aware of the issues.
This change was part of a very special anniversary, as in February 2024, We Are Survivors turned 16 and our 16th birthday began our year-long celebration entitled The Year of Consent, in recognition of 16 being the age of consent.
The National Lottery Reaching Communities fund awarded We Are Survivors a major grant to develop services in new localities that reach more male survivors in Greater Manchester.
Manchester Business School’s MBA ‘Team Tango’ worked with Duncan, Theo Aarons (Digital Communications Co-ordinator), and Nick Callow (Senior Information and Data Analyst) cohort to measure and improve We Are Survivors messaging.
Our focus has been on strengthening the organisation’s structure, services, and influence. The Board has devoted substantial time to preparation, discussion, and decision-making, ensuring that we approach all matters with a thorough understanding. This year’s Board Away Day was a particularly valuable opportunity to reflect, plan, and set clear priorities for the year ahead.
“I referred myself to We Are Survivors and began weekly clinical therapy. In the beginning I avoided opening up to my therapist but with his perseverance I started to accept and talk about what had happened, how it made me feel and what I could do to make things ‘normal’ again.”
BARRY
2024-25INNUMBERS
Client Demographics
2024-25INNUMBERS
Our digital presence in numbers
640,851 1,030,177 4.4%
At We Are Survivors, our commitment to fostering a vibrant, purposeful workplace is exemplified by our remarkable thematic leadership program. This initiative is not just about enhancing individual skills; it embodies our collective mission, vision, and values, empowering every staff member to lead with intention and integrity.
ChrisSpeed Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Our thematic leadership program offers tailored development opportunities that align with the diverse strengths and aspirations of our team. Each participant is encouraged to explore their unique leadership style, while also embracing the shared goals of our organisation. By nurturing a culture of collaboration and support, each staff member plays a vital role in advancing our mission, grounded in our core values.
As we present our Impact Report for 2024-2025, we celebrate the achievements of our staff who embody the principles of effective leadership. Together, we have made significant strides toward a positive impact in our community, driven by a shared vision for a better future. The following pages invite us to reflect on the contributions of our leadership program and how it shapes our organisation to thrive in pursuit of excellence and social responsibility.
BeckyBrighouse
OUT Spoken Trauma
Informed Therapist
NEURODIVERSITY
“I attended an HMP Preston induction meeting so I am aware of what is shared with new starters about neurodiversity. I met with the Neurodiversity Support Manager (NSM) for Preston who shared the names/emails of the NSMs for all our prisons. These were circulated round the team so they have a contact to get more support for our clients.
The PowerPoint that Preston’s NSM used during induction was also circulated to OUT Spoken staff and feedback was very positive about its usefulness.
I recirculated the info above due to new OUT Spoken staff and updated the team about a restructure. NSMs no longer sit under the Head of Reducing Reoffending, but under the Head of Education, Skills and Work.
AislingCoogan
OUT Spoken Services Manager
HARMFULSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
DRUGSANDALCOHOL
“I have kept staff up to date with drug alerts, sent information of events for Recovery Month 2024 and attended an event with Acorn Recovery in HMP Buckley Hall.”
“I have created a case study of working with PCoSOs for training purposes that has been uploaded to teams I believe for people to look at their leisure.
I have also provided mini training support for new starters who haven’t working with this client group and set up a group for all prison therapists where one of the areas of discussion is this as well.
GarethParker
OUT Spoken Services Manager
I have also helped Nj (We Are Listening Services Manager) with discussions and guidance from my experience with his new project.
MENTALHEALTH
“I’ve had several Staff Benefits, Mental Health Support posters created and have these within the offices for individuals to see. I’ve promoted OK Positive within the workforce.
JamieLegge Operations Director
In addition, I’ve organised and completed (along with Jane) my Mental Health First Aider refresher.”
MaryHardiman
OUT Spoken Trauma Informed Therapist
ADULTEDUCATION
My thematic lead time has been spent pdating the OUT Spoken paperwork nd editing magazines and documents. I've attended four meetings online and spent hours proof reading articles and magazines.”
EQUALITYDIVERSITY ANDINCLUSION
As part of my thematic lead for LGBT+ people in Prison in that period, I attended a number of different events including HMP Kirkham's Pride Event in September 2023. HMP Kirkham's Pride Event was attended by both OUT Spoken and Mandem Meetup staff to promote our service to both staff and prisoners
OUT Spoken Senior Trauma Informed Therapist
I also attended a number of events organised by Pride in Prison & Probation (PiPP) during LGBT+ History Month in February 2024.
MattMetcalf
Started to work toward Membership Living Hours accreditation achieved in July 2023.
ISVA Quality Standards reaccreditation planning – held quarterly meetings with ISVA team from September 2023 to prepare for reaccreditation due in December 2024.
PREVENTANDCOUNTER TERRORISM
“I have completed all the required training and ensured that any new colleagues complete the training when joining the organisation. During April 2023 – March 2024, I also worked on my previous Thematic Lead – ‘Young People’ to help create ‘The Hangout’.
NickCallow Senior Information and Data Analyst
Using skills learnt during my apprenticeship, I created a Power BI dashboard that demonstrated how ‘Young People’ interacted with the current CDT offerings. I also supplied any required data to support the project to the team.”
FINANCIALREVIEW
Once again, we report another year of growth – income is up 22% year on year to £2.1m. With that income growth comes organisational expansion, and costs are also up to support delivery of our services, contracts, and grant commitments.
We are reporting a £20.7k increase in unrestricted funds, continuing to leave us in a healthy position at the end of the year.
Our ongoing annual growth is carefully managed, and although continuous, is well and consciously controlled. We deliver and spend within our restricted funds and maintain controls and reserves to manage our unrestricted activities.
OUR POLICY ON RESERVES
The amount held in unrestricted reserves at the end of the year was £686k, of which £678k is free reserves (after allowing for funds tied up in fixed assets).
The Trustees continue to review the reserves policy and have considered the ongoing growth of the organisation and reflected that in our reserves target. We have identified a need to hold reserves at a level that are sufficient for us to complete programmes for those who are already in our services, to provide for redundancy pay, and to exit our lease agreements. We have calculated this as approximately £700k.
Our reserves are at a level that broadly meets our reserves target and give us security to manage our forward-looking growth.
A GOING CONCERN
The charity’s main sources of income are contracts, grants and fees. The Trustees consider that it is appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis and consequently, the accounts do not include any adjustments that would be necessary if these sources of income should cease.
“Any man who is finding it difficult to be motivated, lack direction or may have low self-esteem and feeling isolated due to the impact sexual abuse or rape then contact We Are Survivors, they save lives! The safe environment which We Are Survivors offers can be a place to be first listened too and then have the strength to tell your story.”
STEVE
OURTEAM
TRUSTEESANDOFFICERS
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
TRUSTEES
Prof Craig Harris
Evan Chiswell
Frances Healey
Christos Tsaprounis
Dr Andrew Tomkins
Kevin Vanterpool
Susan Cuffe (resigned 01.06.24)
CHAIR
Professor Craig Harris
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Duncan Craig OBE
COMPANY SECRETARY
Duncan Craig OBE
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chris Speed, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Jamie Legge, Operations Lead
Caleb Cunniffe, Community Services Director
Jonathan King, Criminal Justice Services Director
(appointed 03.03.25)
Alison Lloyd, Criminal Justice Services Director
(resigned 19.12.24)
OPERATIONALSTAFF
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Aisling Coogan, OUT Spoken Service Manager
Gareth Parker, OUT Spoken Service Manager
Gayna Williams, ISVA Service Manager
Nisaa Ali, Therapy Service Manager
Njal Long, We Are Listening Service Manager
Daniel Griffin, CDT Services Manager (Appointed 03.06.24)
“The importance of speaking and opening up about abuse is so essential and I learned that the hard way. Charities like We Are Survivors are there to help people open up in a safe environment and if I can help spread the message that men are not alone in their plight of sexual abuse – and that there are safe places you can go to open up and talk – then that is essential work I cannot say no to.”
“Having seen first hand the incredible work that Duncan and his team at We Are Survivors do, it felt like the natural step to get involved on a more practical basis. I have a voice and a profile and the more awareness I can help raise, the more chance they have of helping more men, it’s really as simple as that.”
Sam Thompson DJ - BASSDUCKFRESH
Sam Thompson is a DJ and male rape advocate following his own experience in 2016. Sam has tirelessly campaigned for the voices of male rape victims/survivors to be heard, featuring on a range of media outlets including newspapers, radio, TV and was more recently featured in Channel 5’s award winning documentary, ‘Rape: My Story’.
“I think it is so important that women support the charity, because while the direct victims are male, women are also affected by these crimes. The victims are our brothers, fathers, sons and friends, and we need to stand by them to break the silence which surrounds male rape.”
Cheddar Gorgeous, aka Dr. Michael Atkins has been a part of the We Are Survivors family since day one and has been an outspoken advocate and supporter of our work. This support is not only public facing, but direct - working with us tirelessly to develop our communications, and campaign work. Recently, his grounddbreaking research led to the development of our successful ON IT Chemsex campaign with George House Trust.
Cheddar Gorgeous Drag Superstar
Charly Lester Journalist/Entrepreneur
THANKYOUTOOURFUNDERS ANDSUPPORTERS
THE BOOTH CHARITIES
We’re also so grateful to Dr Michael Atkins (aka Cheddar Gorgeous), Ocean Outdoor, Peter Sishton, The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, Steve Collinson, Zach Ali, all our generous individual supporters and of course our incredible AJ Bell Great Manchester 10k Run runners and sponsors for their fundraising efforts.
OURTHANKYOU
We Are Survivors can only live as it does because of a large number of people and organisations, all supporting us to deliver on our vision of ensuring No Male Survivor Left Behind.
Whether it’s our staff team, our Expert Reference Group members, our Board of Trustees, our Ambassadors, our volunteers, our partners, our funders (see opposite), and all our stakeholders, we thank you for your support, generosity, and compassion as we #BreakTheSilence
THE
LATESTFROMWEARESURVIVORS
Keep up to date with everything at We Are Survivors by giving us a follow on social media. You’ll find us on:
To read and download all of our latest publications, make sure you bookmark our Issuu page. Click here to visit.
