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Anti-Violence Services - Rape & sexual Assault
MESMAC North-East recognises that gay and bisexual men can be victims and survivors of male rape, domestic violence, and childhood sexual abuse, and that help is either limited or non-existent.
This page tells you what we can offer. It includes information and advice about rape, sexual abuse, and partner violence. You don't have to be experiencing violence or abuse right now to get support. Often, men wait years before feeling able to seek help. There are no set rules - the most important thing is that you feel ready.
All our services are confidential and free. Workers won't give any information about you to your partner, family, or friends. You can be reassured that you won't be judged or made to feel responsible for abuse or violence which has happened to you. You can proceed at your own pace, and you won't be pressurised into making decisions you don't feel comfortable with.
Our aim is to combine a safe space, where you can talk through your experiences and feelings, with practical advice and continued support.
When you've read this, you'll have taken an important first step.
The next step is up to you.
Male Rape & Sexual Assault
- Rape and sexual assault can happen to anyone, including men.
- Rape is a sexual assault involving the forced penetration of the anus by a penis.
- A sexual assault is when someone touches any parts of your body in a sexual way, when you don't want it. It can also be the forced penetration of the mouth by a penis, or anal penetration with an object. Sexual assault includes situations where you can't say "no" because you're drunk, high, or unconscious.
- Rape and sexual assault aren't sex; they're violent and abusive crimes. Like other forms of violence, they're used to exert power and control over another person.
- Gay and bisexual men can be sexually assaulted by strangers, partners, family members, or people they know and trust.
Although male sexual assault remains under-reported, incidences of rape and sexual assault are regularly disclosed by men accessing counselling at MESMAC.
These men often feel that the sexual assault or rape happened because they're gay or bisexual. It's got nothing to do with that. Rape and sexual assault are about violence and power. And the attacker can be gay, bisexual, or straight.
Being raped or sexually assaulted is a traumatic experience. Men are left with many different feelings about the assault, but there are some common responses:
Physical symptoms can include loss of memory or concentration; loss of appetite; disrupted sleep patterns; head and stomach pains.
Psychological symptoms can include mood swings; flashbacks to the assault; denial; humiliation; depression; loss of self respect; anger; anxiety; guilt; nervous or compulsive habits; change in sexual activity; withdrawal from relationships and support networks.
What you can do about it
Try to talk to someone about the assault. Counselling is one way to get some control over your life after an assault. Talking things through with a counsellor can help you with both the emotional and physical reactions. A counsellor can give you support in looking at your feelings, and also if you want to tell your partner, friends, or family.
If the assault has just happened, it's important to seek medical attention. Although you may feel embarrassed about the incident or your injuries, try not to be. Even small injuries may become serious, so it's best to go for a check-up, either to a Hospital Accident & Emergency Department, REACH (see contact numbers below), or your local GUM clinic.
If you're concerned that you might have been infected with HIV, or another sexually transmitted infection, talk to these people or a worker at MESMAC about the possibility of a check-up and/or HIV testing.
Male rape and sexual assault are serious crimes. If you feel able, do report it to the Police. They will take it very seriously, and many officers have now had training to help them deal sensitively and respectfully with these issues. Workers from MESMAC will do their best to support you in your contact with the Police.
REACH offers services to men who've been raped or sexually assaulted, and is based in Newcastle and Sunderland.
Newcastle:0191 212 1551 (Minicom 0191 212 1548)
Sunderland: 0191 565 3725 (Minicom 0191 514 3091)
The following contacts also offer support and advice services to men who have been sexually assaulted or raped
Samaritans: 0345 909090
Local Offices: Ashington 01670 814 222, Durham 0191 384 2727, Sunderland 0191 567 7177, Tyneside 0191 232 7272
Referral Agencies for Heterosexual Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Rape
NEWCASTLE
LISTENING POST
This is not a specific service for sexual abuse survivors but can be accessed by men wanting to talk about abuse issues. A drop-in service operates on the above times but if face to face counselling is wanted an appointment can be made. Appointments available Monday/Wednesday between 1pm - 5pm & Thursday 12 - 2pm.
Tel: 0191 232 1692 Monday - Saturday 12 midday -3pm (3 listeners on duty each day).
ASCA Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Tel: 0191 221 1919
SOMEONE CARES
Abuse issues
Tel: 0191 213 0151 Ext 28255
STREETWISE
Are able to see young men up to 26 years of age. Ring for an appointment.
Tel: 0191 230 5400
TEESSIDE
S.E.A.R.C.H. (Sexual Abuse & Rape Counselling)
Hartlepool. The service is only for men in the Hartlepool area, although men from the surrounding areas (South Durham, Peterlee) would be considered.
Tel: 01429 891151 (24 Hour Answering Service, not a helpline)
JIGSAW
Service for adult male survivors of rape or sexual abuse, and their partners and family. One to one counselling available. Teesside area only. Helpline Tues 12-2pm.
Tel: 01642 645233 24hr answerphone outside helpline times.
NATIONAL
IT DOES HAPPEN
Support network for domestic violence victims. Txt 07800 647379 telephone helping coming soon.
http://www.itdoeshappen.org
FIRST STEP
26 Severn Street,
Leicester.
LE2 0NN
Help for adult male survivors of sexual abuse.
Tel: 0116 255 8868 Monday 7 - 10pm. Answerphone at other times.
LONDON SURVIVORS
P.O. Box 2470,
London,
SW9 9ZP
Tel: 0207 833 3737 Monday & Tuesday 7 - 10pm. Answerphone at other times.
SHEFFIELD SURVIVORS
P.O. Box 142,
Sheffield.
S1 3HG
Tel: 0114 279 6333 Monday 6 - 8pm. Answerphone at other times.
If you think you may have been drugged and then sexually assaulted, you can get more information and support from MESMAC.
Homophobic Incidents Reporting
The ARCH racist reporting line has been expanded to homophobic incidents. This was developed by a sub group of the Newcastle LGBT workers network and Newcastle Council Community Development section.
From 17th May you can report homophobic incidents that have occurred in Newcastle .
You don't need to be able to prove that an event happened in order to report it. If you or someone you know has been the victim of homophobic harassment ARCH can help. You can report something that has happened to you, to someone else, or something you have witnessed
How do I report a homophobic incident to ARCH?
1) Call 0800 032 32 88. This 24-hour line is FREE even to mobiles and can be linked to language line.
2) Call into an ARCH reporting centre. These include:
- MESMAC, 11 Nelson Street, Newcastle, 0191 233 1333
- Lesbian Line, 0191 261 2277
- Metropolitan Community Church,07770 543 407
- Outpost, 13 St James Street, Newcastle, 0191 222 1937
- Any Newcastle City Council Customer Service Centre
- Any Your Homes Newcastle Housing Office
- Victim Support, 0191 2744274
Once you have told ARCH about your experience you decide what happens next. You can keep your details anonymous and you chose which agencies receive the information.
If you would like further information about ARCH please email:
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