Male Survivors Partnership Celebrates 100th Download of Quality Standards
The co-founders of the Male Survivors Partnership (MSP) are celebrating after its recently launched Quality Standards have been downloaded over 100 times by providers of support to male survivors of sexual violence.
The Quality Standards, launched in January, were created in partnership by the Male Survivors Partnership and Lime Culture CIC, to improve the consistency of service provision for male survivors of sexual violence, across the UK, and to 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.
Since the launch, the issue of sexual violence has been brought to the forefront of the media agenda with high profile cases such as the FA scandal and soap storylines including Coronation Street’s first ever male rape.
Martyn Sullivan, CEO of Mankind and co-founder of the Male Survivors Partnership added: “We are really pleased that so many people are accessing the Quality Standards. What’s been so interesting is the variety of people downloading them from the website - academics and researchers across the UK and internationally as well as several victims/survivors and of course service providers.
“Since launching the Quality Standards in January, we have seen a real momentum building to raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence against men. As a result, we – like many other specialist charities - have seen a massive increase in disclosures of sexual abuse and requests for help and support from male survivors so having the agreed Quality Standards in place is more important than ever” stated Duncan Craig, CEO of Survivors Manchester and co-founder of the Male Survivors Partnership,
Neil Henderson, CEO of Safeline and co-founder of the Male Survivors Partnership added: “It’s been well documented that our National Male Survivors helpline has seen a huge increase in demand – a 1700 per cent spike within the first week of the Coronation Street male rape storyline being aired – and this level is continuing. By having these standards in place, survivors can feel reassured that they are accessing a nationally approved level of care and support at a time when they are feeling most vulnerable.”
Since the launch, LimeCulture CIC and the Male Survivors Partnership have announced the 10 Wave 1 Sites who have been selected for inclusion in the Independent Accreditation, Monitoring and Support Programme as part of the Quality Standards for Services Supporting Male Victims/Survivors of Sexual Violence and the process is currently under way.
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
ENDS
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About The Male Survivors Partnership:
The Male Survivors Partnership was founded by specialist sexual violence services (Survivors Manchester, Mankind and Safeline) whose collective aim is to ensure support is available to meet the specific needs of male victims/survivors.
About LimeCulture Community Interest Company:
Lime Culture is the UK’s leading sexual violence training and development organisation.
About Survivors Manchester:
Survivors Manchester is a survivor led organisation that aims to provide therapeutic, practical and advocacy support to male survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation across Greater Manchester. Using a range of online, telephone and face to face services, we aim to facilitate a safe space for boys and men to work through their personal and sometimes painful issues in order to become empowered to make their own positive life choices and defeat the legacy of sexual violation.
About Mankind:
Mankind offers a structured programme of face to face counselling and therapeutic groups to men (18+) who have suffered an unwanted sexual experience at any time in their lives. All services are offered at no or low cost and take place at our building located in Brighton.
About Safeline:
Safeline protects people from sexual abuse and supports those affected by it. Safeline provides face-to-face, phone and online counselling, prevention projects to keep children and young people safe, National Helplines that provide immediate emotional support, ISVA for those who choose to report the abuse to the police and training services for professionals and parents to help them protect and support people at risk of abuse.