Male rape helpline branches out

People can remain anonymous calling the helpline

A support group giving advice to men and their families who have been affected by male rape is now offering help to people across Wales.

Male Rape Support (MRS) was set up last year by Terry Cadman in Bangor, but has now linked with helplines run by the NHS North East Wales Trust.

Mr Cadman said spreading awareness about the trauma of male rape was a key part of dealing with it.

"It is a very difficult subject," he said.

"Making the first call is a very important step."

MRS has now teamed up with the organisation that runs the helplines known as Standing Ground and Call from its Wrexham offices.

Janet Roberts, who manages those lines, said there was very little support for male rape survivors in Wales.

"Male rape services are lagging behind these for female rapes," he said.

Any kind of rape is not about sex or lust, it is about power Terry Cadman, MRS

"Male rape happens right across Wales and MRS can, with our support, now cover a larger area."

She said the subject was a very difficult one for people to talk about.

"It is where helplines come into their own," said Ms Roberts.

"People can speak to someone, but keep in control of the situation - they can be anonymous and can put the phone down if they want."

Mr Cadman, 54, said men often dealt with issues of guilt and shame after being attacked.

"One of the biggest questions is 'Why me?'," he said.

"But no matter how big or strong men are, if two or three people decide this is going to happen, very few people can stop it.

"Any kind of rape is not about sex or lust, it is about power."

Mr Cadman said the helpline was not just for people who had been attacked, but could also provide support for their relatives.

"People change after something like this, and if affects the whole family," he said.

MRS is funded by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and Mantell Gwynedd, which supports voluntary and community groups in Gwynedd.

The group is also looking for volunteers to train as staff for its helplines.