Support group launched for male survivors of sexual abuse

Survivors Matter has launched a peer support group

A support group specifically for male survivors of sexual abuse is being launched in Rochdale.

Following campaigning and awareness work in Rochdale highlighting the issue of childhood sexual abuse, collective group Survivors Matter (formerly Survivors First) is launching a peer support group for male survivors of sexual abuse.

An estimated 12,000 men are raped in the UK every year, and more than 70,000 are sexually abused or assaulted, according to the charity Survivors UK.

A representative from Survivors Matter said: “We walk tall as survivors and are proud to speak out and carry a message of hope, we have witnessed how powerful peer to peer healing can be, as it was instrumental individually in our own recovery journeys.

“We found inspiration and courage from others who had walked before us and recognise the need for identification and a support network from those with lived experience who have claimed back their lives.”

The Survivors Matter peer support group is an opportunity to meet others who have been in a similar position to yourself, ask any questions you may have been afraid to ask, share coping mechanisms and get signposted to professionals depending on your personal needs and what you feel is good for you.

Those who attend a Survivors Matter peer support group are in charge: you will not be asked to speak in detail of your experiences, only what you’re comfortable with.

Peer support will run every two weeks and is facilitated by two group members who are experienced in delivering peer support sessions.

The location cannot be published for safety, but the first group is on Tuesday 9 October from 7pm until 9 pm.

More information is available upon request via email, including location of the support group:

peer2peer@survivorsmatter.uk