Greater Manchester Launches UK’s First Strategy Against Violence Targeting Men

Greater Manchester has become the first region in the UK to introduce a plan specifically designed to address gender-based violence affecting men and boys. This initiative will detail how the city region intends to manage domestic abuse and sexual assault, while simultaneously increasing awareness of support services and expanding trauma management training for police and other professionals. It will also address issues impacting victims of so-called honour-based attacks and violence against gay, bisexual, and trans men. Duncan Craig OBE, founder of We Are Survivors and one of the strategy’s co-authors, emphasized that it was “crucial” to prioritize support for all victims. The Greater Manchester Gender-Based Violence Strategy 2021-2031 aims to reduce gender-based violence against men and boys, encourage them to seek assistance, and ensure that accessible services are readily available. The strategy was co-authored by David Gadd, a professor of Criminology at The University of Manchester, in conjunction with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and various partners and organizations across the city region. Three key areas of focus are: It will involve the establishment of independent domestic violence advisors and the creation of a victims service coordinator role for therapeutic and advice services. It will also extend the existing arrangement, which is currently in place across all 10 local authorities, to enable victims to be rehoused in suitable accommodation when necessary. Guidance for individuals who have experienced abuse and subsequently show signs of a likelihood of committing sexual offenses or causing self-harm will also be incorporated. These plans were developed following a case in January 2020, which saw Reynard Sinaga, Britain’s most prolific rapist, sentenced to a minimum of 30 years. Sinaga committed 136 rapes, luring 48 men from outside Manchester clubs to his flat, where he drugged and assaulted them. The case brought to light the considerable barriers men face when reporting experiences of victimization. According to the GMCA, statistics indicate that in the year ending June 2024, Greater Manchester Police recorded 9,904 offenses of rape and sexual assault, of which 1,836 (one in five) involved male victims. Their report states that the average time taken by male victims to report sexual assault is four years, and less than 4% of reports result in a charge. BBC Action Line: If you have been affected by issues in this story, find out what support is available here. The founders stated that the strategy will assist men and young boys exposed to gender-based violence and encourage them to come forward. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester: “It is the case that men can find themselves in abusive relationships of various kinds and sometimes that issue doesn’t get the same air time.” He added: “Our gender-based violence board is the first to give priority to the issue and we are proud of that.” Mr. Craig, of We Are Survivors and an abuse survivor himself, noted that victims encounter a range of barriers to reporting and seeking support, including “fear of disbelief, social ostracism, and lack of awareness about available help”. He further explained, “For male victims, there are additional challenges such as societal expectations about masculinity, fear of homophobic reactions, and concerns about the consequences of disclosure.” Mr. Craig concluded, “Developing comprehensive support for male victims is essential, if we are to truly tackle gender-based violence.” Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.