Blog Article | 15 August 2016

Raising Awareness of Support Services Available for Men

As part of the nationwide initiative to raise awareness to end domestic violence and sexual assault, UK SAYS NO MORE are keen to highlight the importance of male support services to challenge stigmas attached with male disclosure and showcasing the different options available for men to find support.

Our partners Survivors UK, Mankind Counselling, Mankind Initiative, and Survivors Manchester have joined the campaign to take a stand to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

It is vital that awareness is raised around services available for men, as many men feel incredibly isolated and unable to come forward and receive support after experiencing sexual abuse or domestic violence.

Each one of the organisations above has specialist support for males who have experienced or are survivors of abuse. Many of our other non-profit partners provide support to men, all of which you can discover on our partners page.

Domestic violence & sexual assault against men

1 in 6 men will become a victim to domestic violence or sexual assault with only a small number reporting to the police with around 4 million men being affected every year.

Men can be affected by domestic violence and sexual assault in many of the same ways as women, including emotionally, physically, financially and mentally. However there can be additional barriers, such as shame, embarrassment, and a lack of awareness. Many men worry that they may receive a reaction of disbelief, or that blame may even be put on them.

The idea that a man cannot be abused in a relationship, or that a man cannot experience rape and other form of sexual assault are sadly still often perpetuated. This means that many men experiencing violence or assault may choose to remain silent.

According to Safeline, 5 million men and 8 million women in the UK have been affected by sexual abuse.

Approximately 85,000 women and 12,000 men are raped in England and Wales alone every year; that’s roughly 11 rapes (of adults alone) every hour.(Ministry of Justice, ONS and Home Office January 2013).

With the help and support of our partner organisations, we want to challenge the stigma that men cannot experience domestic violence and sexual assault. We want all men to believe they should not feel embarrassed or think that no one will listen – help and support is available.

[maxbutton id=”10″]

Support services for men

Safeline (for men, women and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse)

0808 800 5008 | main helpline | 0808 800 5005 | male helpline | 0808 800 5007 | young people’s helplinesafeline.org.uk

Survivors UK: (for adult male survivors of rape or sexual assault)

Web chat / Send a text to 020 3322 1860 | survivorsuk.org

The ManKind Initiative (for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse)

01823 334244 | www.mankind.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line (for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse)

0808 801 0327 | mensadviceline.org.uk

Mankind Counselling (for men who have experienced sexual abuse)

01273 911680 | mankindcounselling.org.uk


Looking for other support services?

Head to our How to Help page for a full list of resources for men, women and young people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault.

Remember, if you are ever in immediate danger, call 999.

Further reading

Myths & Realities of Male Sexual Abuse | Survivors UK

30 Key Facts about Male Victims of Abuse | Mankind Initiative

The Impact of Sexual Abuse | Survivors Manchester

Help & Support | Men’s Advice Line

Safeline’s Services For Men| Safeline

[maxbutton id=”8″] [maxbutton id=”2″] [maxbutton id=”5″]

Blog

NatWest marks ‘No More Week’ by opening Safe Spaces for economic and domestic abuse victims

6 March 2024 NatWest Group is announcing that starting this week it will offer Safe Spaces to people experiencing economic and domestic abuse in over 360 branches across the UK including NatWest, Ulster Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland branches.  Safe Spaces, part of Hestia’s UK Says No More campaign, are designated locations which anyone ...

Read full story

Nationwide – the UK’s biggest branch network – joins Hestia’s Safe Spaces

Nationwide – the largest branch network of any UK banking brand -– will offer Hestia’s Safe Spaces scheme to people experiencing domestic abuse across more than 400 branches across the UK. A recent poll by Nationwide shows almost half (48%) the population have experienced, or know someone who has experienced domestic abuse, with almost one ...

Read full story

Hestia and UK Says No More respond to national domestic abuse ‘flee fund’

The Home Office has announced that from 31 January 2024, victims of domestic abuse who do not have the financial means to leave their abusers will be able to apply for a one-off payment of up to £500 for essential items to help them and their children flee to safety. For the first time, victims ...

Read full story