On Sunday, August 18, 2024, Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team announced that they are working with We Are Survivors, a leading male victim/survivor charity based in Greater Manchester, to investigate a series of rapes in the city centre.
According to police, the suspect, a 47-year-old man who is currently in custody awaiting trial, primarily targeted intoxicated men, raping them and stealing their personal items between February and July 2024. He has been charged with 12 offences, including multiple rapes, sexual assault, and theft, after his arrest on July 21, 2024.
Duncan Craig OBE, the Chief Executive Officer of We Are Survivors and a survivor himself, founded the organization in 2009 to provide support to male victims/survivors. In response to the investigation, Craig stated, “We are working closely with our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police to provide our specialist support to all those impacted by this investigation, including anyone with information or acting as a witness.”
He went on to say, “Over the past 15+ years, we have seen numerous cases involving male victims reported in the press, leading to more individuals coming forward to seek help for past experiences.”
Detective Inspector Paul Davies from Greater Manchester Police Major Incident Team expressed his gratitude to those who have already come forward and provided their accounts, stating, “They have shown unbelievable courage and bravery.” He also urged anyone who may have witnessed or been a victim of these offences to come forward and share their information.
The We Are Survivors Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) team, who supports victims and survivors through the criminal justice system, is offering a safe space for those who do not feel comfortable speaking with the police. They can be reached at 0161 236 2182 or via email at isva@wearesurvivors.org.uk. All contacts will be taken seriously.
To facilitate the sharing of information, Greater Manchester Police have opened a dedicated Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP24A78-PO1.
In the event of rape or sexual assault, it is vital to seek support and not suffer in silence. These crimes can be reported to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. Information can also be reported on the Greater Manchester Police website at www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, individuals can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
This news story was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
