Leading UK male victims charity, We Are Survivors, has launched its MANifesto today, calling for the needs of male victims and survivors to be a priority in the upcoming General Election.
With the election scheduled for July 4, political parties are making their promises to the country while the public is voicing their concerns and questions to the candidates.
Duncan Craig OBE, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of We Are Survivors, believes it is crucial for civil society organizations to make their issues known to candidates and hold them accountable.
“As a charity leader, it is important to speak truth to power. While each individual must make their own decision on election day, we also have a responsibility to inform all parties and candidates about the causes we support and how they can bring about positive change,” said Craig, who is also a survivor of sexual abuse.
This is the first time the charity has publicly presented its requests to political leaders and parties.
“We are asking all political leaders, parties, and candidates to prioritize the issues we have been advocating for over the years. We want to continue these important discussions in the next Parliament and work together to address sexual abuse, rape, sexual violence, and all sexual offenses. We must do everything in our power to create a society where no male survivor is left behind, and we must have difficult conversations to end this epidemic of sexual violence,” Craig added.
We Are Survivors has recently launched three new projects aimed at raising awareness of male survivors and providing support for their healing journey.
Their quarterly digital magazine, Beyond The Silence, includes an exclusive interview with Baby Reindeer creator, Richard Gadd. They have also partnered with North West HIV Charity George House Trust to address the impact of ChemSex and drug-facilitated sexual activity through their project, On It. In addition, their collaboration with Mandem Meetup aims to create a network of allies through their We’re Allies program to better support male survivors.
In February 2025, the organization will celebrate its 16th anniversary.