'Male survivors of sexual abuse deserve as much support as women'

Bob Balfour, who is founder of Bradford-based charity West Yorkshire Survivors, was aged seven when he was first sexually abused by a local delivery man.

Mr Balfour was later abused by several other people, and claims he grew up believing "everybody wanted you for sex".

He told The Yorkshire Post he did not tell anyone about the abuse he faced "for twenty years", but now is a vocal campaigner for men's rights to the same access to support as female victims.

It comes as West Yorkshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Victim Support today launched a joint campaign for more men to speak out and report all forms of sexual assault and abuse, whether recent or historical.

Offences against men currently account for around 15 per cent of sexual crimes reported to the force.

Police have purveyed the message to survivors, "you are not alone", while a video has been produced interviewing one male victim abused in the county.

In the video, the victim, who has remained anonymous, said: "I was sexually abused as a child between 11 and 16. At its peak it was happening between 10 and 12 times a week.

"I was taken advantage of by a family friend and I've had to live with that for quite a while. I decided to report it to the police in 2017.

"If I didn't report the abuse, I wouldn't be here today. I was at that point in my life where it was eating away at me and I couldn't think about anything else."

Mr Balfour said: "I think it's a really good idea for police to raise awareness that men can be victims too.

"The lack of funding and services for men means they tend to get lost off the radar, but men need as much support as women."

Many men who experience assault have taken their own lives, Mr Balfour added, highlighting the need for more support services.

"One of our clients took his own life on a mental health ward when he was 23." he added.

"He had been groomed from the age of 11 in Leeds by someone who encouraged him to take drugs and alcohol, then slowly but surely introduced him to other men.

"He was trafficked around the north of England, mainly around Manchester. He was raped by up to 100 men."

Assistant Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Catherine Hankinson, said: The important thing that any victim of sexual assault should know is that it is not their fault. It doesn’t matter whether you are in a relationship with the perpetrator, whether they are someone you know, whether they are a stranger; if you haven’t consented to a sexual act then it is an offence.

“Being a victim of a sexual offence can have long term effects on your physical and mental health as well as your ability to form and maintain relationships. Please don’t suffer alone. There is help available, including organisations who specifically work with male victims.

“If you have been a victim of sexual assault, either recently or in the past, then we would encourage you to report it to us so that we can investigate it and look to take action against the person responsible. I would stress though that you can still access support without having to speak to the police.”

Mark Burns-Williamson, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This campaign was informed by a host of partner agencies and really importantly, victims themselves. Our aim is to increase the confidence of male victims of sexual abuse, and all victims, to come forward. You will be heard, you will be listened to and you will be supported."

West Yorkshire Survivors is a charity that offers an advice line and video counselling sessions to support male victims.

Advice for men can also be found at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/MaleSexualAbuse.