An average rate of 29,000 men are raped every year in the UK and more than 70,000 alone are sexually abused. Yet, according to a GLA report released in 2017, 94% of these cases go unreported.

For sexual abuse and sexual violence awareness week, a new level of awareness must be brought towards the male survivors of sexual abuse. A stigma that is attached to toxic masculinity prevents many male victims from coming forward with their experiences. Instead, they’re taught not to express their feelings.

Sam Thompson, and Outreach engagement officer from SurvivorsUK, gave a talk about this subject at the University of Kent. SurvivorsUK is a leading charity for male rape and sexual abuse victims that educates and raises awareness for survivors that wish to come forward.

Thompson spoke about the myths attached to male survivors, the effect on their mental health that can follow in the aftermath, and what they can do to help.

SurvivorsUK is also currently running a campaign called the #26hourschallenge. The campaign asks for the participants to stay silent for 26 hours using a survival kit that is provided to them in order to reflect the average 26 year period that survivors stay silent for before sharing their experiences.

Talks and workshops on sexual abuse and sexual violence week will continue over the weekend so make sure to check out who might be speaking out in your area.

To watch the full story, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MftKl4nhHvw