No Way Out: A New Male Victims Statement by the CPS

04.12.25 | News

As we continue to support campaigns combat violence against women and girls, especially as we are in the 16 Days of Activism for gender based violence, we must also maintain our stance on men and boys as victims of gender based violence. That, per the latest Office for National Statistics crime and justice data, 18% of all recorded sexual offence victim are male, and that 10% of all recorded rape victims are male. Further male victims of sexual and domestics abuse are themselves STILL legally victims of ‘violence against women and girls’!

We are happy that the Crown Prosecution have published their “No Way Out” position statement in support of male victims.

The statement revolves around the story of Adam, who was in a 16 year relationship with his wife and abuser. Adam is a survivor of controlling coercive behaviour, having been subject to myriads of physical and verbal abuses. She has since been sentenced to 2 years in prison and will be under a 10 year restraining order.

This story matters simply in the communication that men can be victims of abuse, and face the simultaneous problems of their abuse not being recognised by others (such as the police and criminal justice process), nor by themselves! The statement points to the under-reporting of male victims of crimes ‘usually committed by men on women’, specifically domestic and sexual harms.

In the words of our CEO Duncan Craig OBE, who contributed to this position statement,

“As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, of rape, and of sexual exploitation, not being seen is at the heart of the silence one is forced into. I understand why society focuses on women and girls as victims but that should never be at the expense of seeing others, people like me, male survivors.

“Visibility means everything and that isn’t just about being seen, it’s about being valued.

“In the development of this statement, the CPS have taken so much care to really involve us in a way that others should but rarely do. Not only do I feel seen, but I feel that the ideas, opinions and knowledge from my lived experience is as important to them as it is to me, its priceless.”

We wholly agree that it is vital that training be offered to prosecutors to help them understand the particularities of male victimhood, especially in this time when the assumption of a jury trials will be a thing of the past. Likewise for the new National Operating Model and Rape Action Plan, of which can be read here in the full statement:

https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/no-way-out-new-prosecution-statement-confronts-silent-struggle-faced-male-victims-one

We thank the Crown Prosecution service for recognising and standing by male victims and survivors of sexual harms, and for supporting us in breaking the silence.