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Violence strategy against men launches in Greater Manchester

Violence strategy against men launches in Greater Manchester

PA Media A man hides his face with his hand in a distressing scene.PA Media

A recent study found that less than 4% of harassment reports against men result in criminal charges

Greater Manchester has become the first region in the UK to launch a plan to tackle gender-based violence against men and boys.

The plan will set out how the city region will tackle domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as raise awareness of support services and expand trauma management training for police and professionals.

It will also look at issues affecting victims of so-called honour-based attacks and violence against gay, bisexual and transgender men.

We Are Survivors founder Duncan Craig OBE, who co-authored the strategy, said it was “crucial” that support for all victims was prioritized.

What is strategy?

The Greater Manchester Gender-Based Violence Strategy 2021-2031 aims to reduce gender-based violence against men and boys, encourage them to seek help and ensure accessible services are available.

This book is co-authored by David Gadd, Professor of Criminology at the University of Manchester, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and partners and organizations across the city region.

The three main focus areas are:

  • Domestic violence and abuse, including domestic violence and abuse
  • Rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse
  • Harassment and violence based on so-called honor, including forced marriage.

It will see the creation of independent domestic violence counselors and create a victim service coordinator role for treatment and counseling services.

It will also extend the current arrangement in place in all 10 local authorities to allow victims to be rehoused in suitable accommodation when needed.

Guidance for abused people who show signs of potentially committing a sexual offense or harming themselves will also be included.

Why is it being brought?

Reynhard Sinaga wears black-rimmed glasses and smiles at the camera

Reynhard Sinaga named “the most prolific rapist in British legal history” by the Crown Prosecution Service

The plans were devised following a lawsuit in January 2020. Reynard Sinaga, Britain’s most prolific rapist He was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison.

Sinaga lured 48 men from clubs outside Manchester to his flat, where he drugged and assaulted them, committing 136 rapes.

This case shed light on the significant barriers men face when reporting their experiences of victimization.

Accordingly GMCA, statistics show that in the year ending June 2024, Greater Manchester Police recorded 9,904 offenses of rape and sexual assault; of these, 1,836 (one in five) involved male victims.

The report notes that the average time it takes for male victims to report sexual assault is four years, and less than 4% of reports result in a crime.

BBC Action Line: Find out what support is available if you’ve been affected by the issues in this story available here.

Who will it help?

The founders said the strategy would help men and young boys experiencing gender-based violence and encourage them to come forward.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: BBC Radio Manchester: “It is a situation where men can find themselves in various types of abusive relationships, and sometimes this topic is not covered in the same publication.

“Our gender-based violence board is the first to prioritize the issue, and we are proud of that.”

Why is it needed?

Mr Craig, of We Are Survivors and a survivor of abuse himself, said victims faced a range of barriers to reporting and seeking support, including “fear of disbelief, social exclusion and a lack of awareness of the help available”.

“For male victims, there are additional challenges such as societal expectations regarding masculinity, fear of homophobic reactions, and concerns about the consequences of disclosure,” he added.

“If we really want to tackle gender-based violence, it is crucial to develop comprehensive support for male victims.”