Greater Manchester Leads the Way in Tackling Gender-Based Violence Against Men and Boys
Friday 22 November, 2024 – Greater Manchester has made history by becoming the first place in the UK to have a dedicated plan for addressing gender-based violence against men and boys. The plan, co-authored by Professor David Gadd from the University of Manchester and Duncan Craig OBE, Chief Executive Officer of We Are Survivors, alongside the Mayor Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor Kate Green of Greater Manchester, outlines the steps the city region will take to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence towards men and boys.
The plan aims to raise awareness of support services and reporting mechanisms for male victims and survivors, with a focus on services for men from minoritised communities. It also seeks to expand trauma-informed and trauma-responsive training for Greater Manchester Police, teachers, social workers, and other professionals to improve recognition and response to male gender-based violence.
According to data collected during the development of the plan, 1 in 5 recorded offences of rape were against male victims, compared to the national data of 1 in 10. This highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to address gender-based violence against men and boys.
Duncan Craig OBE, founder and Chief Executive of We Are Survivors, a Greater Manchester-based charity supporting male victims and survivors of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual exploitation, and a survivor himself, said, “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. This plan 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.”
Craig added, “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 recognize the complex power dynamics in abusive relationships and prioritize 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.”
The need for a dedicated plan for male victims was further highlighted by the case of Britain’s most prolific rapist Reynard Sinaga, who was sentenced in Manchester Crown Court in January 2020 to a minimum of 30 years for committing 136 rapes against 48 men. Greater Manchester Police held evidence that over a 30-month period, Sinaga raped over 200 men, the majority of whom identified as ‘straight’. This case brought attention to the considerable barriers men face in reporting experiences of victimization and is now the biggest rape case in British legal history.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green said, “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 recognizes the complex power dynamics and intersectional challenges they face.”
She added, “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 are 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.”
Statistics show that in the year ending June 2024, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) recorded 9,904 offences of rape and sexual assault, of which 1,836 (one in five) related to male victims. However, the average time taken by male victims to report sexual assault to police is four years, and less than four percent of reports result in a charge.
The plan will also see the extension of the trailblazing housing reciprocal to male victims of domestic abuse and violence. The reciprocal is an arrangement across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, which ensures that victims can be rehomed in suitable housing in any borough. Previously, victims of domestic abuse could only be rehomed within their borough, which often led to further trauma or abuse.
As set out in the plan, Greater Manchester will invest in Independent Domestic Violence Advisors to specialize in supporting men and boys and support ambitions to be a trauma-responsive city-region. It will also establish a Male Victims Service Coordinator role to help enhance therapeutic
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