supported by

Search Menu

Historic Launch of Quality Standards for Services Supporting Male Sexual Violence Survivors

The first ever Quality Standards specifically for male survivor services have been launched by The Male Survivors Partnership (MSP) and LimeCulture Community Interest Company.

The Quality Standards are set to improve the consistency of service provision across the UK and provide a framework and benchmark that can be used to develop and improve the quality of services to male survivors by recognising their specific needs.

Duncan Craig, CEO of Survivors Manchester and co-founder of the Male Survivors Partnership said: “From now on, male survivors can be assured that their individual needs will be understood when accessing support from any organisation. This is a massive, long overdue, step forward that will hugely benefit many men like me.”

The Male Survivors Partnership was founded by four specialist sexual violence services (Survivors Manchester, Mankind, Safeline and SurvivorsUK) whose collective aim is to ensure support is available to meet the specific needs of male victims/survivors. Survivors Manchester, Mankind and SurvivorsUK are members of the Men and Boys Coalition.

Further information on the new standards and on how to become a ‘Wave One’ service provide is available at the link below:

www.malesurvivor.co.uk/male-service-standards/

The need for these services has arisen due to the number of services supporting male victims/survivors of sexual violence seeing an increase over recent years due to high profile cases such as the FA scandal and a result of commissioners driving equitable access to support services for males and females provided in their local communities.

“As services for male survivors are developed, it is crucial that they can meet the specific needs of male clients and not just assume an add on to traditional women’s services will suffice” stated Martyn Sullivan, CEO of Mankind.

Stephanie Reardon, Joint Chief Executive at Lime Culture said: “Launching these Quality Standards today is a massive achievement for all parties involved but one we are particularly proud to be a part of.

“For males who have experienced sexual violence these new standards and the accreditation process that goes with them, will give a layer of reassurance about the quality of the services they are accessing at a time when they are feeling most vulnerable. They will have the knowledge that they will receive a nationally approved level of care and support – something they haven’t previously had.”

This ground-breaking project was enabled by an award of £85,000 from the Lloyds Bank Foundation England & Wales – Transform Fund. Launched in 2016, this fund aims to stimulate innovation and improvements in the domestic and sexual abuse sectors.

In 2018/2019 funding from Lloyds Bank Foundation England and Wales will allow up to 10 organisations to become part of the initial accreditation, monitoring and support programme enabling them to achieve a quality ‘kitemark’ once they are able to evidence that they meet the quality standards.

Organisations wishing to apply will be asked to complete an application form available from mqs@limeculture.co.uk which includes a short self assessment against the standards and current/planned service provision.

For further information on the standards and further guidance please visit the Males Survivors Partnership website – www.malesurvivor.co.uk or follow on Twitter – @MaleSurvivorUK or Facebook – @MaleSurvivorsPartnership