Greater Manchester Combined Authority has become the first in the UK to have a dedicated plan for tackling gender-based violence against men and boys.
Launched on International Men’s Day 2024, the plan has been co-authored by the Mayor and Deputy Mayors of Greater Manchester, the Chief Executive of We Are Survivors, and partners across the city-region. This will see plan set out for how to achieve a number of targets to tackle violence against men and boys.
The main focuses will be:
- How domestic abuse and sexual assault towards men and boys will be tackled
- To raise awareness of support services and reporting mechanisms for male victims
- To expand trauma-informed and responsive training for police officers, teachers, social workers and professionals to improve recognition and response to male gender-based violence.
The launch of the plan comes three years after the publication of the pioneering 10-year Gender-Based Violence Strategy, which committed to the development of a dedicated plan for men and boys.
Founder and Chief Executive of Manchester-based male sexual abuse charity We Are Survivors, Duncan Craig OBE, commented:
“In the absence of a coherent national strategy that tackles gender-based violence against men and boys, Greater Manchester is leading the way in launching our own plan, which addresses the full range of violence, abuse and exploitation in which men or boys are victims, and in which their gender, sexuality or intimate relationships are motivating or prevailing factors in their suffering.
“Victims of gender-based violence face numerous barriers to reporting and seeking support, including fear of disbelief, social ostracism, and lack of awareness about available help. For male victims, there are additional challenges such as societal expectations about masculinity, fear of homophobic reactions, and concerns about the consequences of disclosure.
“It is crucial to recognise the complex power dynamics in abusive relationships and prioritise support for all victims, addressing their specific needs. Developing comprehensive support for male victims is essential, if we are to truly tackle gender-based violence.”
According to statistics for the year ending June 2024, Greater Manchester Police recorded 9,904 offences of rape and sexual assault, with 1,836 of these being related to male victims. Alongside this, the average time that it takes male victims to report sexual assault in Greater Manchester is four years. Less than 4% of these reports result in a charge.
Kate Green, Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, added:
“Our plan aims to reduce gender-based violence against men and boys, encourage them to seek help and live well, and ensure high-quality, accessible services across Greater Manchester. We are committed to a trauma-informed and responsive, inclusive approach that addresses the specific needs of male victims and recognises the complex power dynamics and intersectional challenges they face.
“Last year, male victims accounted for one in five reports of rape and sexual assault offences to Greater Manchester Police and sadly, we know the actual cases of gender-based abuse and violence affecting men and boys is much higher as they are less likely to report cases to the police.
“This is why it’s so important to have a bespoke plan for male victims that ensures the right support and services are available and that professionals understand the distinct needs of male victims, particularly those from minoritised communities.
“We are very grateful to our partners and the experts that have helped to develop this plan as an extension of our 10-year strategy and our unwavering commitment to making our communities safer and stronger.”
Image credit: iStock
