More recovery support for men and boys

More recovery support for men and boys who have experienced sexual abuse and rape

Men and boys in Cumbria who have experienced sexual abuse and rape stand to benefit from increased therapeutic support over the next year, thanks to a new project being run by Safety Net, in partnership with The Birchall Trust.

Safety Net already runs a free service supporting the recovery of anyone affected by rape, exploitation, sexual and domestic abuse across Cumbria. Working in partnership with The Birchall Trust, which provides counselling and support services to Survivors of Rape and Sexual Abuse in South Cumbria and North Lancashire, the two organisations aim to provide increased provision across the county, enabling an extra 50 men and boys to receive support.

Funded by the Ministry of Justice, the programme will involve:

·   Providing specialist 1:1 trauma-informed support and therapy. Therapy will take place face-to-face and remotely, as the client prefers.

·   Running specialist peer support groups.

·   Raising awareness and encouraging referrals from other agencies, working on the principle that there is no wrong door and people can receive support at any time, to encourage more men and boys to come forward.

·  Developing opportunities for men who have accessed services to support other men.

Jo Birch, Head of Operations at Safety Net said: “We’re delighted to receive this funding from the Ministry of Justice. Men who have experienced historic sexual abuse often have complex needs and require extensive therapeutic support. It is commonly the case that victims have not reported abuse or sought help from other agencies for many years, out of a pervading sense of shame and fear. The abuse may have had a lifelong impact on their wellbeing, including associated drug and alcohol problems.

The aim of the new service is to provide practical ‘wrap around support’, including safety and stabilisation work, alongside counselling and peer support. Peer support can provide men with a sense of community and an awareness that there are other people who have experienced the same crimes, helping to mitigate shame and provide healing over time.”

Vanessa Dixon, Chief Executive of The Birchall Trust says: “We are delighted to have received this additional funding for our work with men and boys in Cumbria. 1 in 5 of our referrals are from men and we know that often they take a long time to come forward for support. This money will enable us to provide additional resources to meet the growing demand for our services.”

Around 20% of Safety Net’s clients last year were men and boys, and both organisations have an established track record of working with people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. The Birchall Trust was one of the first organisations in the county to be accredited to work with male victims / survivors of sexual violence, and both organisations have male trustees with lived experience of sexual abuse.