This week marks sexual abuse and sexual violence awareness week.

As the campaign suggests, we don’t talk about sexual abuse, and the lasting effects, enough. And that’s not okay.

Metro.co.uk have chatted with a survivor, who told us why it’s vital to allow male victims to have a voice in the discussion about sexual abuse.

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Duncan Craig, 41, was groomed and later abused by a member of his local community from the age of 11.


Since coming to terms with memories he had previously locked away, Duncan has set up a charity to offer victims and survivors vital support.



Speaking of his own experience, Duncan told Metro.co.uk: ‘I was abused from the age of 11 until I was about 16 by a member of the community, who was well-known to everybody.

‘When I look back now I recognise that I was 11 when the grooming started, things like buying sweets and drinks, then it moved on to things like records and later on to cigarettes and alcohol.

‘It started with showing me pictures and pornography, then it escalated to things like messing about play fighting and touching me.’

Although he didn’t initially realise the severity of what was happening to him, Duncan explains how the entire ordeal was enveloped in secrecy and shame.

He added: ‘I didn’t tell a single person, I was wrapped up in complete and utter shame about the whole thing. Like, in some way, I always knew it was a secret.

‘It was behind closed doors, away from people. Everything I digested was about secrecy so I kept it locked up.’

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After setting up Survivors Manchester, Duncan has found that many victims of abuse and sexual violence also hold on to guilt, despite being completely blameless.

Duncan told Metro.co.uk: ‘As survivors, it’s not our shame to carry.

‘But I think the actual physical behaviour or acts of sexual abuse and the process of grooming in some way felt like the passing on the shame and guilt that the perpetrator should feel on to the victim.

‘In some way the perpetrator discharges his or her own shame onto the victim or survivor and they then carry it.

‘And perhaps that’s why the perpetrator feels like that’s why they feel like they can do it, because they don’t feel ashamed.’

After coming to terms with his own past, Duncan turned the experience into a positive and now dedicates his time to male victims – who are sadly often forgotten.

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He explained: ‘If I were a female there was several support services I could have used, but there was nothing for males.

‘I looked outside of Greater Manchester only to find that there was nothing in the North West. I’m only talking around 2007- 2008, there was nothing.

‘I decided that when I’d got myself a lot more stable with support, that I would develop something that would help other survivors like me. I wanted to belong. I wanted to feel like I wasn’t this alien. So I started Survivors Manchester.’

How to seek help Survivors Manchester is survivor led and run voluntary organisation that creates a safe space for male victims of sexual abuse and rape. The organisation works on the theory that being in contact with other survivors allows victims to feel less isolated while they begin to heal. They offer free help and advice and will not pressure victims into talking to the police if it’s against their wishes. Phone 0161 236 2182 or email support@survivorsmanchester.org.uk. If you’re not quite ready to ask for help, visit their website here for more information.

Where you can seek help If you are a survivor of sexual abuse or sexual violence, here is where you can seek help or support: Your doctor

Rape Crisis UK – 0808 802 9999

The Survivors Trust – 0808 801 0818

Survivors UK (for male survivors of rape) – 02035983898

National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247

A hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department

A genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic

A contraceptive clinic

A young people’s service

The police, or dial 101

In an emergency, dial 999