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A new multi-agency campaign across Hinckley and Bosworth is seeking to encourage male victims of sexual abuse to come forward.

The initiative set up by Leicestershire Police and county support organisations hopes to help victims who might otherwise suffer in silence.

In the past year 141 offences of rape and sexual assault against men have been reported to Leicestershire Police, but research suggests this is just the tip of the iceberg with most offences going unreported.

By contrast the same period saw 900 reports from women.

Detective Inspector Reme Gibson, from the police’s signal rape investigation team, said: “We know significantly less men report sexual crime to the police and other agencies compared to females. There may be lots of reasons behind that, they may question their sexuality or even their masculinity.

“It is always going to be a difficult call for anyone, regardless of sex, to come forward and speak to a stranger about an intimate crime plus there is fear of the police and the courts. We want to tell men who may have suffered sexual abuse they are not alone and there is a lot of support out there whether that is in seeking justice through the courts, professional counselling or just telling someone your story.

“We are not working alone, we are working with agencies such as Trade Sexual Health, First Step and the Leicester LGBT to provide a holistic service.”

Police have been successful in bringing prosecutions against abusers and victims are being assured there is no time limit on coming forward.

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The campaign has been backed by ‘Jon’, an abuse survivor who was physically and sexually assaulted from the age of three to 16 by an older brother.

Jon said: “He controlled my whole childhood and has stolen that part of my life away from me. I felt in constant fear. For years and years I hid everything I went through, I didn’t tell anybody.

“When he got convicted it gave me a lot of closure. Find somebody to talk to because you are not alone.”

First Step is a charity which works with male survivors and their supporters.

Cas Beckett from the charity said: “We help survivors take the ‘first step’ towards feeling less isolated through making their own choices.

“Everyone has the right to be respected, to be believed and to live in a safe environment. We can help individuals achieve that.”

Contact Leicestershire Police on 101, or First Step on 0116 254 8535.