New charity for male sex abuse victims launches in Mansfield

Male victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence no longer have to suffer in silence - thanks to a new charity based in the region.
Nicci Robinson, (right) with Roger Garrett, charity steward, from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire (second right) and members, workers and volunteers at MENding UK.Nicci Robinson, (right) with Roger Garrett, charity steward, from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire (second right) and members, workers and volunteers at MENding UK.
Nicci Robinson, (right) with Roger Garrett, charity steward, from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire (second right) and members, workers and volunteers at MENding UK.

MENding UK opened last week at an event at its office on Byron Street, Mansfield.

The charity was launched due to the lack of services for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence - both recent and historic.

This comes after it was discovered that around 1 in 7 men have sustained some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16.

MENding UK will operate under the umbrella of its sister charity S.H.E. UK, which offers a similar service for women.

It is only the second charity of this type in the whole county.

Nicci Robinson, chief executive of both charities, said: “It has been a long held ambition of the trustees of the charity to develop a similar service for male survivors.

“There’s very little for female survivors but even less for male survivors.

“But it’s harder for men to come out and declare themselves as victims because of social pressures.

“There is a feeling of failure and shame.”

Services will be provided by health professionals and trained specialists.

Users can contact the charity directly or may also be referred through professionals such as doctors, social workers or the police force.

MENding can provide therapy, peer support groups, creative therapies and adult learning groups to help victims overcome what has happened to them.

Nicci added: “This type of abuse really does destroy lives.

“It’s very difficult, emotional work and my staff have to be particularly emotionally resilient to go with the day-to-day running of these services.

“But when a member comes in and is in a really bad place and months later we have helped them to improve, that is really powerful stuff.”

The charity have also got a new angle on connecting with their users - through the use of Facebook.

They launched this digital service with S.H.E UK in 2013 and Nicci says it has helped them save lives.

She said: “It’s a good point of contact for some people who might find talking face-to-face or on the phone difficult.

“Over a keyboard is sometimes easier.”

The biggest funders of the new charity are Nottinghamshire Freemasons, with a grant of £1800, and the Thomas Farr charity have also contributed

For more information on the new charity or to get in touch with them, visit www.mending-uk.org or call them on 01623 622916.

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