Historic Launch of Quality Standards for Services Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Violence
The Male Survivors Partnership (MSP) and LimeCulture Community Interest Company launched the Quality Standards for Services Supporting Male Survivors of Sexual Violence at the House of Lords this week.
At an event hosted by the Victim’s Commissioner, Baroness Helen Newlove, the first ever Quality Standards specifically for male survivor services were officially launched to an audience of officials from across Government departments, commissioners, service providers and key stakeholders. Details were provided on the benefit of implementing the standards, as well as information on how they had been developed and established.
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 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 [email protected] 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
ENDS
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About The Male Survivors Partnership:
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.
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 SurvivorsUK:
SurvivorsUK offers emotional support to anyone affected by male sexual abuse, assault or rape. We run a nationwide emotional support and information webchat (open 7 days a week), nationwide telephone and online counselling, and face to face support services in the London area.
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 rape and supports those affected by it.
Safeline provides face-to-face, phone and online counselling, prevention projects to keep young people safe, National Helplines that provide immediate emotional support, ISVA for those who choose to report their abuse to the police and training services for professionals and parents to support people affected by abuse.