The Men and Boys Coalition warmly welcomes the Government’s first ever ‘Position Statement’ on male victims of crimes considered ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’.
The historic six page statement aims to clarify and strengthen the government’s response to the increasing volume of male victims of sexual violence, stalking, domestic abuse, and so called honour-based violence/abuse which includes forced marriage.
It follows three years of engagement and consultations between Government and a close partnership of charities and campaigners that include both members and co-founders of the Men and Boys Coalition.
Spearheading the campaign were MBC co-founders Duncan Craig, CEO of Survivors Manchester and Mark Brooks OBE, Chair of Mankind Initiative; alongside key contributions by co-founders Dr Ben Hine and Ally Fogg.
MBC member charities involved in the consultations were Survivors Manchester, Survivors UK, the Mankind Initiative and Mankind; alongside key contributions by a range of non-MBC members, including the Male Survivors Partnership.
Duncan Craig said: “As a professional working with male survivors of sexual violence and a survivor myself, this statement sends a clear message to boys and men that the Government sees you and they are taking what happened to you seriously. That kind of recognition is priceless and will positively add to men’s healing.”
Mark Brooks OBE said: “This first-ever Government statement is a huge leap forward in ensuring there will at last be full and equal recognition that men are victims of these terrible crimes. We are proud to have worked with the Government and other charities to have produced this clear and inclusive message.
“We are confident it will encourage more men to come forward, ensure better professional support when they do and also give fresh impetus in changing society’s attitude towards male victims.”
The full Position Statement is available here:
The Coalition looks forward to continuing to engage with the Government as the principles outlined in the Position Statement are implemented in practice.